title: Recent advances in molecular biomarkers for diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes is a growing global metabolic epidemic. Current research is focussing on exploring how the biological processes and clinical outcomes of diabetes are related and developing novel biomarkers to measure these relationships, as this can subsequently improve diagnostic, therapeutic and management capacity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to identify the most recent advances in molecular biomarkers of diabetes and directions that warrant further research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a systematic search strategy, the MEDLINE, CINAHL and OVID MEDLINE databases were canvassed for articles that investigated molecular biomarkers for diabetes. Initial selections were made based on article title, whilst final inclusion was informed by a critical appraisal of the full text of each article.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The systematic search returned 246 records, of which 113 were unique. Following screening, 29 records were included in the final review. Three main research strategies (the development of novel technologies, broad biomarker panels, and targeted approaches) identified a number of potential biomarkers for diabetes including miR-126, C-reactive protein, 2-aminoadipic acid and betatrophin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most promising research avenue identified is the detection and quantification of micro RNA. Further, the utilisation of functionalised electrodes as a means to detect biomarker compounds also warrants attention.
authors.affiliation: a Neuroscience Research Unit , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.|b Chronic Disease Solutions Team , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.|c Centre for Health Technologies , University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Ty
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lees
authors.affiliation: b Chronic Disease Solutions Team , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.|c Centre for Health Technologies , University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Najah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nassif
authors.affiliation: b Chronic Disease Solutions Team , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.|c Centre for Health Technologies , University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: b Chronic Disease Solutions Team , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.|c Centre for Health Technologies , University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shad-Kaneez
authors.affiliation: b Chronic Disease Solutions Team , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.|c Centre for Health Technologies , University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Rosetta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martiniello-Wilks
authors.affiliation: b Chronic Disease Solutions Team , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Yiguang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: b Chronic Disease Solutions Team , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: b Chronic Disease Solutions Team , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.|c Centre for Health Technologies , University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Xianqin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: a Neuroscience Research Unit , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.|b Chronic Disease Solutions Team , School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.|c Centre for Health Technologies , University of Technology Sydney , Broadway , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lal
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004566:Electrodes / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Diabetes; biomarker; diabetes mellitus; molecular