MetaBio Ltd. was established at the start of 2008 with the aim of exploiting biomarkers of preeclampsia discovered in the plasma component of blood samples collected from pregnant women during routine antenatal clinic visits. These biomarkers were detected using 1H NMR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate statistical analysis and are all low molecular ( Turner et al. Hypertension in Pregnancy 26, 329-342 (2007); 27, 225-235 (2008) see also Turner et al. Reproductive Sciences (2009) as 16, 1040-1051.) The markers are diagnostic as they were detected at time of disease. Subsequently a number of the markers have been found to be present earlier in pregnancy and thus potentially disease predictors. Work is continuing, collecting early pregnancy samples to test the utility of the markers as predictors.In parallel work we have discovered some high molecular weight molecules variations in the concentrations of which appear to act as disease predictors. Further data will be available from these studies as more samples become available.
While the initial remit of the company was to explore biomarkers of preeclampsia the team is also working on other pregnancy related conditions, such as gestational diabetes and miscarriage. We have recently identified a biomarker of miscarriage using the same NMR approach but using urine samples from pregnant women.
To download our PowerPoint presentation (735KB) click here
