Biological Sample Analysis for NAFLD Biomarker Risk Scoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide with no effective treatments, and its causes are poorly understood, posing a significant unmet medical need.

Innovation Solution

Systems and methods for analyzing biological samples to identify biomarkers associated with NAFLD, including molecular signatures that characterize samples to facilitate drug discovery and treatment, by detecting specific genetic variants and generating a risk score for NAFLD using a combination of genetic and clinical factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If genetic variants and molecular signatures are analyzed to identify NAFLD biomarkers, then disease risk estimation accuracy is improved, but system complexity and analysis cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease risk estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex NAFLD analysis into distinct molecular components including specific genetic variants (PNPLA3 rs738409, TM6SF2 rs58542926, MBOAT7 rs6417380, GCKR rs1260326), liver function tests, imaging biomarkers, and clinical factors. Each component is analyzed separately and then integrated to form a comprehensive risk assessment, making the complex system manageable and interpretable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a multi-functional diagnostic system that can simultaneously assess NAFLD risk, predict disease progression to cirrhosis and HCC, identify high-risk individuals for targeted interventions, and guide therapeutic decisions. The same molecular signature panel serves multiple clinical purposes including diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If comprehensive genetic and clinical analysis is performed on biological samples, then identification of high-risk individuals is improved, but time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification reliabilityVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis by first assessing easily obtainable clinical factors and basic liver function tests to identify individuals who may benefit from more comprehensive genetic testing. The molecular signature analysis is then applied selectively to high-probability cases, reducing overall analysis time while maintaining high identification reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional invasive liver biopsy with non-invasive molecular signature analysis combining genetic variants, blood-based liver function tests, and imaging biomarkers. This substitution maintains diagnostic reliability while significantly reducing time loss and procedural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250327125A1Systems and methods for analysis of samples associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 THE RGT UNIV OF MICHIGAN

AI summary

Provided herein are systems and methods for analysis of biological samples to identify biomarkers associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. For example, provided herein are molecular signatures that find use in characterizing samples to facilitate research, drug discovery, and treatment associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.