biomarkers
Measurable health signals
Biomarkers are measurable indicators of biological states or conditions—substances, structures, or processes that can be detected and evaluated.
In medicine, biomarkers help diagnose disease, track progression, or predict outcomes: Blood pressure is a biomarker for cardiovascular health.
Cholesterol levels, tumor proteins, and genetic mutations all serve as biomarkers.
The term appears frequently in clinical trials and personalized medicine, where biomarkers guide treatment decisions.
Waxy lipid in blood
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- hemoglobinErythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
- hormonesBloodstream signaling molecules
lipids · electrolytes · proteins · enzymes · metabolites · triglycerides · creatinine · albumin
Evaluative selection process
- detectionAct of finding something
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- identificationEstablishing who someone is
clinical · laboratory · tests · bloodwork · urinalysis · biopsy · imaging · assay
Hereditary code molecule
- genesUnits of heredity
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
- allelesVariant forms of genes
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
genomics · sequencing · haplotype · chromosomes · mutation · epigenetics · gene expression · GWAS
Protective tissue response
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- oncogeneTumor-inducing genetic element
- cytokineImmune signaling molecule
antigen · antibody · lesion · carcinoma · metastasis · malignancy · pathogen · neoplasm
Possibility of harm
- prognosisPredicted disease course
- predictionForecast of coming events
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
- likelihoodChance something will occur
survival · recurrence · progression · staging · stratification · outcome · mortality · morbidity
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
bioindicators · air quality · water quality · soil analysis · exposure · lead levels · mercury · cadmium
cholesterol
Waxy lipid in blood
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- hemoglobinErythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
hormones · lipids · electrolytes · proteins · enzymes · metabolites · triglycerides · creatinine · albumin · bilirubin
screening
Evaluative selection process
- detectionAct of finding something
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
identification · clinical · laboratory · tests · bloodwork · urinalysis · biopsy · imaging · assay · validation
DNA
Hereditary code molecule
polymorphism · genomics · sequencing · haplotype · chromosomes · mutation · epigenetics · gene expression · GWAS · loci
inflammation
Protective tissue response
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- oncogeneTumor-inducing genetic element
cytokine · antigen · antibody · lesion · carcinoma · metastasis · malignancy · pathogen · neoplasm · pathology
risk
Possibility of harm
- prognosisPredicted disease course
- predictionForecast of coming events
- probabilityQuantified chance of occurrence
likelihood · survival · recurrence · progression · staging · stratification · outcome · mortality · morbidity · relapse
pollution
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
- pesticidesChemicals destroying harmful organisms
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
bioaccumulation · bioindicators · air quality · water quality · soil analysis · exposure · lead levels · mercury · cadmium · arsenic
- Cancer GenomicsBRCA, tumor markers, tumor suppressor, carcinogenesis, point mutation
- agingaging process, aging body, aging workforce, aging parents, old age
- Biomedicineanatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, immunology
- medical testsblood test, blood tests, CT scan, X-ray, urine tests
- blood testsCBC, blood test, complete blood count, blood work, CMP
- health datablood pressure, heart rate, pulse, weight, height
biomarkerssocial determinants
Non-medical health influences
environmental factors · lifestyle factors · performance metrics