The invention encompasses 
cell-based systems comprising biomarkers that respond to 
oxidative stress (OS) in a quantitative manner, and methods of use thereof. The systems are useful for screening, identifying and testing 
antioxidant agents, combinations, and formulations thereof for preventing, treating, or reducing symptoms of conditions associated with 
oxidative damage to cells. The 
cell-based systems are useful for identifying effective new 
antioxidant agents and for optimizing 
antioxidant formulations for targeted therapeutic applications. One 
cell-based 
system utilizes RPE cells of the eye for identifying and optimizing antioxidant compositions effective for treatment of age-related conditions such as 
macular degeneration. The cell-based systems provide a convenient, inexpensive and physiologically relevant 
in vitro alternative to human 
population-based methods for testing 
efficacy of nutritional and pharmaceutical compositions comprising antioxidants. The invention further encompasses nutritional or pharmaceutical compositions targeting particular diseases such as AMD, formulated using methods as disclosed herein.