What is biomedicine?

Recent definitions of the term "biomedicine" refer to a discipline of medicine that combines medical study with biological research, or, to put it another way, to the application of the natural sciences, particularly the biological and physiological sciences, to clinical medicine. Although the term "biomedicine" and its adjectival form "biomedical" are often used to refer to modern, scientific Western medicine, their casual use hides two crucial facts: first, that  term is relatively new (its widespread use predates World War Two), and second, and more importantly, that the relationship between biology and the clinic is still far from being as seamless and unproblematic as the term suggests.

Biomedical Approaches towards global health threats

In a report titled "Ten Threats to Global Health in 2019," the World Health Organization (WHO) outlined the top dangers to people's health around the world. The extensive list included both established dangers, including non-communicable diseases. Therefore, it came as no surprise that Pittcon 2019 featured biomedical researchers from all over the world who were devoted to resolving these significant health problems by creating new methodologies.

1.  Spectroscopic Approaches

One of the biggest developments in biomedicine today is rapidly becoming spectroscopy. One of the various spectroscopic methods presented at Pittcon 2019 was Raman spectroscopy. Raman imaging can be used to image even delicate tissues in situ since it uses little energy, is non-destructive, and is non-invasive. Raman's signal-to-noise ratio is its only constraint since low-energy signals might get buried and lost in the noise. Combinatorial approaches like Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS), which was recently used to visualize brain tissue in Alzheimer's disease, have been developed to address this.

2.  MALDI Imaging

The visualization and identification of substances in diseased tissue samples have been completely transformed by immunohistochemistry and radiolabelling. However, MALDI (matrix-aided laser desorbed ionization) mass spectrometry imaging with high throughput and speed is now available. A proteome's complex mixes of small molecules and complicated peptides can be analyzed using MALDI Imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS). Another benefit of this approach is that the sample is not harmed.

At Pittcon 2019, Professor Pierre Chaurand of the University of Montreal, a renowned expert in mass spectrometry imaging, presented his work in a session titled "Image MS of Tissue Biopsies to Assess Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Response to Therapies."

3.  Discovery of Biomarker

New biomarkers for health concerns like cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases are always being sought by researchers. Early detection of molecular illness markers can increase patient survival and have a positive economic impact through timely and tailored treatment. Exhaled breath condensate is a possible technique for identifying novel biomarkers in lung disease (EBC). EBC is a body fluid matrix that enables the identification of biomarkers.

Alzheimer's disease is one area where biomarkers are desperately required (AD). A significant public health concern, AD is the sixth most common cause of mortality in the US and affects about 5.7 million people at any given time. Currently, post-mortem slides of neural tissue are necessary for a conclusive diagnosis of AD. It is believed that a number of novel biomarkers would offer a certain diagnosis for people who are still alive and aid researchers in their understanding of the disease's molecular course. Studies on blood and post-mortem tissues using proteomics and lipidomics techniques are currently being used to find novel biomarkers as are comparable to blood, sweat, tears, urine, and saliva.

4.  Metabolomics

The intermediates and end products of metabolism are known as metabolites. Distinct physiological processes are continuously carried out by cells, and human disease can have an impact on these processes. For the purpose of understanding AD, it is crucial to understand the structure and regulation of metabolic pathways, particularly in brain tissue.

 But it can be difficult to monitor the metabolites of brain chemistry. In this instance, biosensors have been used to comprehend the neurotransmission and energy metabolism of the brain. The sensors enable enzymatic assaying of any redox or non-redox compound with timed temporal resolution. When a traumatic brain injury is present, this can greatly aid in the real-time monitoring of brain chemistry (TBI). Despite the tiny size of the biosensors, implantation is frequently seen as risky and has significant health concerns.

Current Research: Integrative Medicine

Current Research: Integrative Medicine is a bimonthly, open-access, peer-reviewed journal that offers a global platform for the publication of important research from across the world by recognized research academics, helping to improve the journal's quality.

The journal publishes original research papers, clinical studies, case studies, and review articles on a variety of medical subjects, such as Western and Biomedicine, Osteopathic, Regenerative, Holistic, Naturopathic, Functional, and Herbal medicine, as well as Psychology and Counseling, Physical Therapy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, and East Asian Medicine, Nutrition, and Dietary Therapy.

The journal also publishes articles related to basic as well as recent research in the field of medicine. The journal follows a stringent peer-review process only after which an article is accepted for publication.

Indexing: Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, Publons, Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Free Medical Journals, Index, Copernicus,CAS

Manuscript Submission

Domain: integrativemedicine@jpeerreview.org

Submission link: https://www.pulsus.com/submissions/current-research-integrative-medicine.html