October 25, 2004
WEST SACRAMENTO, California, Oct. 25, 2004 -- Lipomics Technologies, Inc., a privately held company that specializes in lipid metabolite analysis and interpretation, today announced that it has received a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant from the Department of Defense (DOD) for a two-phase study to help assess and ultimately improve the optimum fitness and performance of combat personnel.
Collaborating with the University of California, Davis, and Arête Therapeutics, Inc., the first phase of the study will employ previously developed and validated metabolomic analysis platforms to study how metabolic profiles can predict performance, metabolic stress, fatigue and recovery rates for individuals undergoing extreme exertion.
The specific aim of the study is to analyze and profile structural changes in plasma metabolites that may indicate tissue or metabolic changes. The study will also seek evidence of physiological stress during strenuous physical activity by measurement of eicosanoids, hormone-like substances produced in the body that can indicate possible compromise to the immune system. The study findings will be used to develop analytical tools to identify biomarkers of physical readiness, and markers that will predict potential damage in individual soldiers during times of physical stress. Accurate measurements of an individual soldier’s metabolic profile will also help improve training regimens, dietary guidance and if necessary, therapeutic intervention to optimize their preparedness prior to and recovery after exhaustive activity.