Biomarkers 101
Your guide to understanding the molecular fingerprints of aging and health
The Evolution of Biomarker Discovery
Early Clinical Markers
Blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate become standard health indicators
Biochemical Revolution
Cholesterol, glucose, and protein levels enter clinical practice
Genomic Era
DNA sequencing reveals genetic markers for disease risk and drug response
Epigenetic Clocks Born
Steve Horvath creates the first DNA methylation clock, launching the era of molecular aging measurement
What Are Biomarkers?
Biomarkers are like molecular fingerprints that reveal what's happening inside your body at the cellular level. Just as detectives use fingerprints to solve mysteries, scientists use biomarkers to understand health status, predict disease risk, and monitor how treatments are working. These biological indicators can be found in blood, saliva, urine, or even extracted from cheek swabs, making them accessible windows into our internal biological processes.
Genomic
DNA sequence variations that affect disease risk
Epigenetic
Chemical modifications that control gene activity
Proteomic
Protein levels that indicate cellular function
Click on a biomarker type above to learn more!
The Power of Epigenetic Clocks
Among the most revolutionary biomarkers are epigenetic clocks – sophisticated algorithms that analyze DNA methylation patterns to estimate biological age. Unlike chronological age (how many years you've lived), biological age reflects how well your cells and tissues are functioning. These molecular timepieces can reveal whether you're aging faster or slower than expected, and more importantly, they can change in response to lifestyle interventions, medical treatments, and environmental factors. This makes them powerful tools for both understanding aging processes and monitoring the effectiveness of anti-aging interventions.
Compare Your Ages
Chronological Age
Years since birth
Biological Age
Cellular health age
Why TranslAGE Matters
The challenge with biomarkers, especially epigenetic clocks, is that there are now hundreds of different versions, each with varying strengths and weaknesses. Some excel at predicting disease risk, others respond better to interventions, and some are more stable over time. TranslAGE solves this confusion by systematically evaluating over 1,800 epigenetic biomarkers across the S.T.A.R. Framework – four critical performance domains: Stable (robustness to confounders), Treatment Response (sensitivity to interventions), Associations (baseline disease links), and Risk (future disease and mortality prediction). This comprehensive evaluation helps researchers and clinicians choose the right biomarkers for their specific applications, accelerating the translation of this powerful technology from research laboratories to clinical practice and personal health monitoring.
Ready to Explore?
Discover which epigenetic clocks are best for your research or clinical needs
Start Exploring TranslAGE