In part 1 of this blog post, we discussed what a biomarker is. Now we’re talking about why they’re so hard to find!
Prof. Patrick Chinnery, Lead of the LifeArc Centre for Rare Mitochondrial Diseases, believes that biomarkers are an essential part of the projects taking part within the centre.
“A critical step in developing new treatments for mitochondrial diseases is being able to show that a new approach improves the function of mitochondria," he states. “To do this we need better biomarkers of mitochondrial function that reflect the illness and how it affects people.”
But why are biomarkers so hard to find? Watch our video explainer:
Reliable biomarkers are essential for faster diagnosis, better treatment monitoring and more effective clinical trials. Without them, it’s much harder to test new therapies or understand how mitochondrial diseases progress over time.
Researchers around the world are working to discover new biomarkers – ones that are more specific, easier to measure and more consistent. Each discovery brings us closer to clearer answers for patients and families living with mitochondrial disease.
