Finding chemical fingerprints in the body that signal disease
Systems Metabolomics for Biomarker Discovery
Researchers are building tools to read patterns of tiny molecules in blood and tissues to find reliable signs of disease that could help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159526 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team measures thousands of small molecules in biological samples using advanced machines like LC‑MS and GC‑MS and builds computer methods to correctly identify those molecules. They map how metabolite levels and interactions change with disease and link those patterns with other molecular data from genomics or proteomics. The goal is to produce biomarker candidates that remain reliable across different labs, instruments, and patient groups so results are useful in real-world care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with the medical conditions being studied or individuals willing to provide blood or tissue samples for biomarker research.
Not a fit: People without the targeted conditions or those needing immediate clinical treatment may not receive direct benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate and broadly usable lab markers that help with earlier diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment choices.
How similar studies have performed: Previous metabolomics efforts have found promising candidate markers but many did not replicate across platforms and cohorts, so this work focuses on improving reproducibility and generalizability.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- Georgetown University — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ressom, Habtom W — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Ressom, Habtom W
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.