Current Kronos Science research includes, but is not limited to the following projects:
Project Name
Genetic (SNP-based) Test for Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Funding Source
Kronos Science Laboratory
PI
Christopher B. Heward, PhD; KSL
Status
Complete; AD risk screening test development underway
The project is being performed in collaboration with the Translational Genomic Research Institute (TGen). The goal of this project is to identify new genetic determinants (SNPs) of AD, the most common cognitive function problem in older persons. If such SNPs can be identified, they may be used in combination with APOE genotyping to develop new diagnostic tests and therapeutic strategies for AD. Over 570,000 SNPs have been surveyed in the DNA of 1,000 persons confirmed to have Alzheimer's disease at autopsy and 1,000 controls. Data analysis for this project is unprecedented in scope because of the number of SNPs being surveyed, more than ever before in a single research project of this nature. From this research, a paper has been published on the GAB2 SNP in Neuron. An additional Five (5) SNP set has also been identified. Additional papers will be submitted on this finding to a peer-reviewed journal for publication shortly. A patent application for these discoveries have been filed as well.
Both SNP assays hold promise as diagnostic tests for AD, for use in clinical trials, and potentially as predictive tests. For more information on these Alzheimers Disease assays, click here.
Project Name
Development of High Throughput Testing of Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFA)
Funding Source
Kronos Science Laboratory
PI
Yali Su, PhD; KSL
Status
Ongoing
The goal of this project is to develop a high throughput method for testing of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in red blood cell (RBC) membranes. This assay will focus on the omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA as a percent of total HUFA, which has been shown to be an excellent predictor of cardiovascular disease risk.
Project Name
Development of the Kronos Cancer Screening Test (KANSCREEN)
Funding Source
Kronos Science Laboratory
PI
Yali Su, PhD; KSL
Status
Ongoing
The goal of this project is to develop a multiplex assay for a number of key cancer biomarkers using bead-based flow cytometry technology. Specifically, it intends to combine a general cancer biomarker, which has already been validated for sensitivity and specificity approaching 70% with other biomarkers of similar predictive values in order to achieve sensitivity and specificity for the multiplex test approaching 99%. This technology will then be combined with other tissue specific cancer screening assays to improve the predictive power and clinical utility of these tests.
Project Name
Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS)
Funding Source
Aurora Foundation
PI
S. Mitchell Harman, MD, PhD; KLRI
Status
Ongoing
KEEPS is a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of 720 women, designed to provide prospective data on the risks and benefits of MHT in recently menopausal women. KEEPS is designed to explore issues raised by the WHI, specifically age of participants, method of delivery and dose of hormones. Outcomes to be monitored will include imaging of key arteries and various laboratory biomarkers of CVD risk. Kronos Science Laboratory serves as the core laboratory for this study.
Project Name
Kronos Longitudinal Aging Study (KLAS) and the Kronos Research Database
Funding Source
Study Participants
PI
Christopher B. Heward, PhD; KSL
Status
Ongoing
The Kronos Longitudinal Aging Study or KLAS is a long-term project administered by Kronos Science Laboratory focused exclusively on human aging. The goal of this project is to (1) enlist as many participants as possible in a longitudinal study of healthy human aging; (2) track an extensive panel of biomarkers over the course of participants’ lifetimes and identify those that are suitable to become part of a global index of aging; (3) gather collected data in a central database to be used by scientists around the world to study aging and its consequences; (4) identify the “aging trajectory” in populations of people who may, ultimately, volunteer to be subjects in studies of promising anti-aging interventions. The KLAS is an ongoing project which operationally defines aging as the change in functional capacity over time. Study participants complete an exhaustive panel of biochemical and physiological testing every other year for minimum of three years and data is collected and stored in the Kronos Research Database. From this data, KSL hopes to identify biomarkers of aging that can be used to create an “index of aging”. The Kronos Research Database, which also houses clinical data collected from consenting individuals, is also used for analysis of population norms, to track longitudinal patient data, and to study correlations between various analytes and health status. This research study is similar to the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA) and provides a tool with which potential aging interventions may be measured.
Click here for additional information about the Kronos Longitudinal Aging Study and to learn how to enroll.
Project Name
Oxidative Stress and Aging: Laboratory Method Analysis
Funding Source
Kronos Longevity Research Institute
PIs
S. Mitchell Harman, MD, PhD; KLRI, Christopher B. Heward, PhD; KSL, Yali Su, PhD; KSL
Status
Ongoing
The goal of this project is to characterize and validate laboratory methods for assessing oxidative stress in healthy mammals, including humans. A major part of the human aspect of this effort is to determine normal ranges for several markers of study oxidative stress as a function age. This is an ongoing study as the panel of oxidative stress tests at Kronos Science Laboratory continues to expand.
Project Name
Development of an Oxidative Stress Assay Panel
Funding Source
Kronos Science Laboratory
PI
Yali Su, PhD; KSL
Status
Ongoing
The goal of this study is to create a panel of oxidative stress assays measuring DNA, RNA, lipid and protein oxidation. Markers on this panel now include 8-hydroxy-d’-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), 8-hydroxy-guanosine (8oxoGuo), and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-deoxyuridine (5OHmU), markers of oxidative damage to DNA & RNA, 8-Iso-Prostaglandiin-F(2alpha-IV), 8-Iso-Prostaglandiin-F(2alpha-VI) and 2,3-Dinor-8-Iso-Prostaglandin-F(2alpha), markers of lipid peroxidation, and dityrosine and nitro-tyrosine, markers of protein oxidation. This project has been extremely successful and is the basis of ongoing research on oxidative stress.