Experimental and Bioinformatic Approaches for Biomarker Discovery in Disease: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Challenges

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioinformatics and Systems Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 1291

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Interests: cancer biology; gene expression; stem cells; veterinary medicine; tissue engineering; epigenetic reprogramming; epigenetic therapy; histone code; histone modification; cancer cell metabolism
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The discovery of biomarkers (genes, transcripts, proteins, metabolites, and non-coding regulatory RNAs) in disease is crucial for enhancing early detection, determining prognosis, selecting therapeutic strategies, and monitoring treatment response. In the past decade, advancements in molecular biology and bioinformatics have significantly accelerated the identification and validation of potential markers. This Special Issue delves into how experimental data, cutting-edge technologies, and computational tools can be integrated to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying specific diseases, thus leading to the discovery of novel biomarkers. Both experimental approaches and omics technologies have generated a wealth of biological data, often hindering our ability to understand the relationships between observed molecular changes and disease states, as well as interindividual variability. Bioinformatics analysis serves as a crucial bridge, enabling researchers to interpret data (from public repositories, research projects, and experimental studies) and identify significant molecular patterns, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of the interaction networks involved in disease onset and progression. This multi-faceted approach is an indispensable prerequisite for translating basic scientific knowledge into clinical research, a process commonly referred to as the “bench-to-bedside” process. We believe that this proposed Special Issue offers a valuable resource for scientists, clinicians, and researchers interested in the forefront of biomarker research.

Dr. Valeria Gasperi
Dr. Maria Valeria Catani
Dr. Alessandra Gambacurta
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • biomarker
  • molecular biology
  • bioinformatics

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

20 pages, 1192 KiB  
Review
Challenges and Opportunities in Quantifying Bioactive Compounds in Human Breastmilk
by Amna Ghith, Reza Maleki, Luke E. Grzeskowiak, Lisa H. Amir and Wendy V. Ingman
Biomolecules 2025, 15(3), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15030325 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 878
Abstract
Breastmilk is a complex biological fluid containing over a thousand bioactive proteins, lipids, cells and small molecules that provide nutrition and immunological protection for infants and children. The composition of breastmilk is unique to each individual and can also vary within individuals according [...] Read more.
Breastmilk is a complex biological fluid containing over a thousand bioactive proteins, lipids, cells and small molecules that provide nutrition and immunological protection for infants and children. The composition of breastmilk is unique to each individual and can also vary within individuals according to breastfeeding duration, maternal health, time of day, and other factors. As such, the composition of breastmilk can be considered a “fingerprint” that could be interrogated to identify biomarkers of breast health and disease. However, accurate quantification of bioactive components in breastmilk remains a significant challenge. Approaches such as immunoassays and mass spectrometry have been largely applied to study blood or other biological fluids and require validation and optimisation before these techniques can be used to accurately quantify bioactive compounds in breastmilk. Development of protocols specific to breastmilk should be carried out with high precision, confidence, and sensitivity. This review explores the challenges and opportunities associated with different techniques for quantification of breastmilk bioactive components. Full article
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