What is signature generation?

13th May 2022
Posted by: Breige McBride
Categories: Biomarkers, Gene Expression Analysis

Signature generation is a phrase commonly used in medical research. The ‘signature’ part of the term usually refers to biomarker signatures, gene signatures or gene expression signatures. The process of identifying any of these types of signatures is signature generation.

What are biomarker signatures?

To understand what a biomarker signature is, you first need to know what a biomarker is. A biomarker is a biological characteristic that we can measure and analyse to give us information about an organism. A biomarker signature, on the other hand, is a set of biomarkers that, when considered together, provide information for a specific purpose¹. For example, there is a biomarker signature (consisting of 9 metabolites) that medical professionals can use to differentiate pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from chronic pancreatitis².

Generally, it is preferable for biomarker signatures to consist of the minimal number of biomarkers necessary for the signature to achieve its purpose. This is because the number of biomarkers which comprise a biomarker signature will impact the cost of creating and performing clinical tests involving the signature.

What is a gene expression signature?

A gene expression signature refers to a gene or group of genes within a cell, whose differential expression we can associate with a particular biological phenomenon³, such as a biological process or medical condition⁴. They are usually presented as a ranked list of genes.

What is signature generation used for?

In a nutshell, the purpose of signature generation is to inform medical research, at both preclinical and clinical stages. For instance, biomarker signature generation allows researchers to understand if a particular set of biomarkers have significance for any of a number of medical purposes; such as predicting someone’s risk of developing a certain disease⁵. In fact, researchers can even use biomarker signatures to predict health and lifespan⁶.

Meanwhile, we can use gene expression signature generation to reveal links between certain gene signatures and things like drug response or disease prognosis.

Signature generation from Fios Genomics

At Fios Genomics we have a wealth of expertise in signature generation as it is one of our core services. We have years of experience identifying biomarker and gene signatures associated with, for example, treatment response, disease prognosis, and survival. In fact, our signature generation work features in many of our client’s publications. Learn more about the biomarker and gene expression signature generation services we offer, on our gene expression analysis page.

You can also view our sample bioinformatics analysis report video below. This features generation of a multi-omic signature to predict 10-year survival in breast cancer diagnosed patients.

Have a signature generation project you would like to discuss or receive a quote for? Contact us today! We are always happy to discuss potential projects and advise where necessary.