Molecular epidemiology is a multi-disciplinary sub-specialty of epidemiology that incorporates the use of molecular, cellular, and other biologic measurements into epidemiologic evaluations. Genetic epidemiology, encompassed within the definition of molecular epidemiology, specifically focuses on the use of genetic factors to elucidate epidemiologic relationships. Molecular epidemiology takes advantages of the rapidly evolving technology in cellular and molecular biology and genetic research, combining them with classic and advanced epidemiologic methods, to better understand the natural history of disease, the characterization of risk factors for disease, and the development of more effective and targeted medical treatments.
The measured biologic substances, or biomarkers, utilized in molecular epidemiologic studies can take the form of a number of exogenous and endogenous substances, including chemicals, food derivatives, DNA, proteins, and hormones. Biomarkers can provide more precise and relevant measures of human exposures by measuring the internal dose of a compound at any stage along its pathway, from the initial unaltered but absorbed exposure to a biologically altered and metabolized form delivered to tissues, and finally to the chemically and/or structurally altered biologic substance as a result of exposure. Measures of biological changes in target cells or tissues may also indicate early markers of future disease. Biomarkers of susceptibility can identify inherent differences in biological responsiveness can produce markedly different doses at the target site and therefore, different effects. Among the more widely studied biomarkers of susceptibility are genetic factors that influence the metabolism of drugs and chemical factors.
Molecular epidemiologic techniques can be incorporated into almost any epidemiologic assessment to improve exposure and outcome measures. Exponent’s multidisciplinary team of epidemiologists, biostatisticians, toxicologists, clinicians, and environmental scientists bring together the combined necessary expertise to address wide spectrum of molecular epidemiologic studies, such as:
- Nutritional
- Environmental
- Occupational
- Reproductive
- Infectious disease
- Chronic disease
- Pharmacoepidemiology
Our epidemiologists have authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications that involve genetic or molecular epidemiology assessments.