TAmiRNA microRNA biomarker discovery

Diagnostic innovator TAmiRNA is dedicated to the identification and validation of microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers that can be used for to diagnosis, prognosis, treatment monitoring and drug development.

TAmiRNA’s microRNA biomarker discovery and development programs are carried out from its research and development laboratory that is fully equipped for automated high-throughput screening of microRNA transcript levels in virtually any biological sample including cells, tissues, biofluids and microvesicles purified from biofluids.

High-throughput RNA screening platforms

TAmiRNA´s core expertise is the quantitation of non-coding RNAs in biofluids and microvesicles. TAmiRNA has developed protocols for efficient isolation of microvesicles and RNA from various biofluids. These protocols together with a robust RNA profiling platform allows high throughput screening of full miRNome (~ 2000 microRNAs) down to specific sets of microRNAs. For this purpose, TAmiRNA has implemented locked-nucleic-acid (LNA) based qPCR technologies as well as proprietary modifications of NextGen sequencing technologies for absolute quantification of microRNAs.

TAmiRNA’s carries out its biomarker discovery programs with its internal team of biostatisticians and bioinformaticians, and in collaboration with epidemiologists from the academic community. For testing the biological function of microRNAs, it has developed various molecular biology tools and in vitro bioassays in collaboration with the nearby Grillari Labs, LBI Trauma, and Evercyte (see Resources).

Biomarker development: osteomiR^®

TAmiRNA leverages the diagnostic potential of circulating microRNAs as surrogates of tissue health as well as important physiological processes for the development of novel diagnostic tests to improve the management of age-associated diseases.

As part of this development program, TAmiRNA has identified the osteomiR® test, using circulating microRNA biomarkers that can be used to predict fracture risk in post-menopausal women and elderly men. This novel biomarker can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis to prevent the risk of severe osteoporotic fractures. In collaboration with Sheffield University the performance of the osteomiR® test is evaluated in a European multi-center cohort involving close to 1,500 patients.

Determining platelet function with thrombomiR^®

It has also developed the thrombomiR® test as a novel minimal-invasive surrogate parameter for platelet function that can be used to determine platelet activity retrospectively using stored plasma samples. thrombomiR® can be applied to diagnose treatment response to anti-platelet therapy, identify patients high on-treatment platelet reactivity, and as readout to optimize drug dosage by balancing efficacy and bleeding risk. The test could also be used as a predictive biomarker for the severity and adverse outcomes of cardiovascular disease.

Expanding biomarker pipeline

Recently, TAmiRNA has expanded its diagnostic test pipeline with two other projects.

The hepatomiR® test is intended to support patient stratification prior to liver surgery in patients suffering from hepatocellular cancer. Currently, the test is being evaluated in collaboration with researchers at the Translational Experimental Liver Lab (TELL) in Vienna (see Resources).

The senomiR® project aims to provide a non-invasive readout for the accumulation of senescent cells in-vivo, which is key to the safe and efficient prescription of senolytic therapies. senomiR® is developed together with scientists based in the United States as well as Austria.

About TAmiRNA

TAmiRNA specializes in technologies for profiling levels of blood-circulating microRNAs and developing multi-parametric classification algorithms (“signatures”). TAmiRNA uses these technologies to develop minimal-invasive diagnostic tests for drug development, early diagnosis and prognosis of disease, and as companion diagnostic tests to support treatment decisions.

More information available at: www.tamirna.com.

Resources

Click on TAmiRNA R&D programs to learn more.
Click on Evercyte for further information about sister organization.
Click on LBI Trauma for more on the work of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology.
Click on TELL Vienna for further details about the Transitional Experimental Liver Lab.