# Biomarker Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $378,998

## Abstract

BIOMARKER CORE ABSTRACT
The Biomarker Core provides state-of-the-art biofluid processing, biobanking, and biomarker assays in blood
and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to advance diagnostic, prognostic, mechanistic and therapeutics research for the
Massachusetts ADRC (MADRC) and the broader ADRD research community. A particular interest of ours is
the qualification of biomarkers that are fit-for-purpose to characterize heterogenous pathophysiological drivers
of ADRD at group and individual participant levels. Through this we contribute to MADRC’s goal to understand
disease and clinical progression as we integrate, analyze and interpret these data with all of MADRC's Cores'
data. Our focus on precision and individual-specific biomarker profiling moves us closer to personalized
medicine for ADRD and it enables research with broader inclusion of diverse peoples. In the course of this
work, we train and mentor students, trainees, junior faculty and collaborators in the rapidly evolving use and
growing value of biomarkers in ADRD research and clinical translation. Our Specific Aims are: Aim 1)
Contribute to the diagnosis and biological characterization of ADRD for the MADRC and be a resource for
biofluids, technologies and expertise in biomarkers research. We will bank blood and CSF constituents,
measure amyloid, tau and neurodegeneration biomarkers in all MADRC specimens and share these biofluids
and data for use by MADRC, collaborating and national and international ADRD research efforts. Aim 2)
Discover new candidate biomarkers and develop new assays to fulfill unmet needs for characterizing
heterogenous pathophysiological drivers of ADRD beyond amyloid and tau. We will focus on developing blood-
based biomarkers of synaptic loss, use two new, large, deep proteomic datasets in CSF and in plasma to
identify new candidate biomarkers for ADRD research, refine our multi-pathophysiology panels of CSF and
plasma biomarkers to characterize the relative contributions of vascular, metabolic, inflammatory, and other
processes, and work with the Neuropathology Core to develop novel seeding assays of α-synuclein and tau
proteoforms for CSF. Aim 3) Train the next generation of clinical laboratory and translational investigators. We
will train scientists in biomarker research for ADRD with the REC and educate professionals with the ORE and
Clinical Cores in the use and interpretation of biomarkers in evaluation and management of ADRD. Aim 4)
Diversify ADRD researchers, research participants and research. We will continue to enhance opportunities
for trainees and junior faculty from underrepresented in medicine (UiM) groups and increase underrepresented
group participation in blood and CSF research via engagement with ORE Core activities, relationship-building
efforts, dissemination and a focus on biomarker tools for personalized medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10864400
- **Project number:** 2P30AG062421-06
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** STEVEN E ARNOLD
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $378,998
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-05-15 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10864400

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10864400, Biomarker Core (2P30AG062421-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10864400. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*