GLOSSARY

Alpha-1-Acid Glycoprotein –
(AGP) is a protein found in plasma that is produced by the liver and peripheral tissues. It is also known as orosomucoid (ORM). AGP is a glycoprotein, which means it is made up of a single polypeptide chain and carbohydrates. It is heavily glycosylated, with about 45% of its components being carbohydrates. It is also negatively charged due to the presence of sialic acids. AGP is an acute phase protein, which means its serum concentration increases in response to systemic tissue injury, inflammation, or infection. It has a normal plasma concentration of 0.6–1.2 mg/mL, which is 1–3% of plasma protein. AGP has a half-life of 2–3 days, so a high AGP concentration is easily cleared from the body. AGP has a high affinity for amide local anesthetics. Compared to adults, neonates have lower concentrations of AGP in plasma, and are therefore at higher risk of developing local anesthetic toxicity

Amylin –
is a 37-amino acid hormone that is produced in the pancreas and stomach. It is also known as islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP).  Amylin is released in response to nutrients, such as glucose, lipids, and amino acids. It is co-stored and co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic islet β-cells. It inhibits glucagon secretion, delays gastric emptying, and acts as a satiety agent.  In contrast to the nutrient disposal and storage role of insulin, amylin appears to more generally address the opposite side of the energy balance equation, the assimilation of nutrient.

Analyte –
An analyte is a substance or chemical constituent that is being measured by an analytical method. In analytical chemistry, the analyte is the compound of interest.  In an immunoassay, the analyte may be the ligand or the binder, while in blood glucose testing, the analyte is glucose.

Angiotensin –
a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. It’s a peptide hormone that’s part of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The RAS regulates blood pressure and body fluid balance. 
Angiotensin’s name comes from the words “angio” which means “blood vessels” and “tensin” which means “increase pressure”. Angiotensin causes vasoconstriction, which is the narrowing of blood vessels.  It also triggers the intake of water and salt (sodium). Angiotensin also stimulates the release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex to promote sodium retention by the kidney

Beta Cells –
are specialized endocrine cells located within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans responsible for the production and release of insulin and amylin. Constituting ~50–70% of cells in human islets, beta cells play a vital role in maintaining blood glucose levels.

coordinate bonding –
a type of covalent bond where both electrons come from the same atom

Electropherogram –
a graphical representation of data from an automated DNA sequencing machine. It’s also known as a sequencing chromatogram, EPG, and e-gram. Electropherograms are used in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and forensic biology. They can be used to derive results from genealogical DNA testing and paternity testing

ELISA –
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; a commonly used analytical biochemistry assay where antigens from the sample to be tested are attached to a surface. Then, a matching antibody is applied over the surface so it can bind the antigen. This antibody is linked to an enzyme and then any unbound antibodies are removed. In the final step, a substance containing the enzyme’s substrate is added. If there was binding, the subsequent reaction produces a detectable signal, most commonly a color change.

Enantiomeric – 
chemically identical molecular species that are mirror images of each other and cannot be superimposed. Enantiomers are a pair of compounds with the same atoms connected in the same way, but with opposite three-dimensional shapes. The simplest model for enantiomeric structures is the two hands, left and right

Exosome –
Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles that are produced by all cells. They are membrane-bound and range from 30–150 nanometers in diameter

Immunoassay –
a procedure for detecting or measuring specific proteins or other substances through their properties as antigens or antibodies

Insulin –
a hormone produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. The lack of insulin causes a form of diabetes.  Insulin is a small protein, but contains almost all structural features typical of proteins: α-helix, β-sheet, β-turn, high order assembly, allosteric T®R-transition, and conformational changes in amyloidal fibrillation.

LFIA (Lateral Flow Immuno Assay) –
a diagnostic device that can detect or quantify biomolecules in complex samples.  Also known as immunochromatographic assays, lateral flow devices (LFDs), or rapid tests. They are usually self-contained, portable devices that are easy to use, fast, and inexpensive.

Ligand –
an ion or molecule attached to a metal atom by coordinate bonding.

Liquid Biopsy –
A non-invasive or minimally invasive procedure used for the detection and isolation of circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, and exosomes circulating in biological fluids. 
Assays of blood, urine, and other bodily fluids can be analyzed with an IACE-POC instrument to discover the presence, cause, and extent of any disease.

Moiety –
A fragment of a molecule, especially one that comprises an identifiable unit, e.g. an acetyl or pyridoxal phosphate group, a regulatory subunit.

Neurotensin –
a 13-amino acid peptide that is found in the brain and gut. It is a modulatory peptide that is expressed throughout the central nervous system and is involved in thermoregulation. Neurotensin is involved in the etiology of multiple diseases and disorders. Its physiological actions include: 
Hypertension, Vasodilation, Hyperglycemia, Inhibition of gastric motility

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) – 
Biomarker tests are a fast, highly accurate way to diagnose certain infectious diseases and genetic changes. The tests work by finding the DNA or RNA of a pathogen (disease-causing organism) or abnormal cells in a sample.

Proteoform –
A proteoform is a specific form of a protein. It is defined by its amino acid sequence and any post-translational modifications to that sequence.They are the different forms of a protein produced from the genome. They include a variety of sequence variations, splice isoforms, and post-translational modifications.
The diversity in protein structure contributes to the biological complexity observed in living organisms.  These are important in biology and medicine because understanding of biological systems relies upon knowledge of their elements.

Selectivity –
Quantification of achievement of degree of separation and demultiplexing of similar biomarker components present in a sample mixture or matrix.

Sensitivity –
Quantification of minimum detectable concentration of an analyte, expressed as a limit of detection, that can be accurately measured.

Sensitivity test –
A test that will correctly identify almost all individuals who likely have a disease, and that will rarely yield a false negative result.

Specificity –
Quantification of accuracy in assessing a single analyte in the presence of components which may be expected to be present in the sample matrix, such as interferences.

Specific test –
A test that will almost certainly always correctly rule out those who do not have a disease and will rarely yield a false positive result.