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Starlight Longevity

Ageing biology, biomarkers, interventions, and research literacy.

Biomarker

Definition

A biomarker is a measurable biological characteristic that can indicate a normal biological process, a disease-related process, or a response to an exposure or intervention. Biomarkers can include molecular, physiological, imaging, histological, or other measurable features, but they are not the same thing as how a person feels, functions, or survives. [1] [2]

Why It Matters in Ageing Research

Biomarkers matter in ageing research because ageing is a slow, multi-system process that cannot always be studied by waiting for late outcomes such as disease diagnosis, disability, or death. Researchers use biomarkers to estimate biological age, track age-related change, test whether an intervention appears to affect ageing-related biology, and compare people who have the same chronological age but different physiological states. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Common Confusion

Related Reading

References

  1. FDA-NIH Biomarker Working Group. (2016). BEST (Biomarkers, EndpointS, and other Tools) Resource. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK326791/
  2. Califf, R. M. (2018). Biomarker definitions and their applications. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5813875/
  3. Baker, G. T., & Sprott, R. L. (1988). Biomarkers of aging. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3058488/
  4. Justice, J. N., et al. (2018). A framework for selection of blood-based biomarkers for geroscience-guided clinical trials: Report from the TAME Biomarkers Workgroup. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30151729/
  5. Moqri, M., et al. (2023). Biomarkers of aging for the identification and evaluation of longevity interventions. https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(23)00857-7
  6. Bao, H., et al. (2023). Biomarkers of aging. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10115486/
Note

This glossary entry is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.