Searching for the Noninvasive Biomarker Holy Grail: Are Urine Proteomics the Answer?

Voss, Joachim RN, PhD
Goo, Young Ah PhD
Cain, Kevin PhD
Woods, Nancy RN, PhD
Jarrett, Monica RN, PhD
Smith, Lynne PhD
Shulman, Robert MD
Heitkemper, Margaret RN, PhD

¹ Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
² Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle,WA, USA
³ Department of Biostatistics and Office of Nursing Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

Corresponding Author:

Margaret M. Heitkemper, PhD, Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, Box 357266, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA

Email: [email protected]

Biological Research for Nursing 13(3):p 235-242, July 2011. | DOI: 10.1177/1099800411402056

Abstract

Recently, biobehavioral nursing scientists have focused their attention on the search for biomarkers or biological signatures to identify patients at risk for various health problems and poor disease outcomes. In response to the national impetus for biomarker discovery, the measurement of biological fluids and tissues has become increasingly sophisticated. Urine proteomics, in particular, may hold great promise for biobehavioral focused nursing scientists for examination of symptomand syndrome-related research questions. Urine proteins are easily accessible secreted proteins that provide direct and indirect windows into bodily functions. Advances in proteomics and biomarker discovery provide new opportunities to conduct research studies with banked and fresh urine to benefit diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluation of outcomes in various disease populations. This article provides a review of proteomics and a rationale for utilizing urine proteomics in biobehavioral research. It addresses as well some of the challenges involved in data collection and sample preparation.