by Nihal S. DeSilva, PhD
and Tipu Sultan, MD
Environmental Health & Allergy Center
In our earlier articles we indicated to you the importance of the biological phenomenon of Epigenomics in modern bio-medicine. We also indicated how prevention of any chronic disease is closely dependent on epigenomic biomarkers. At EHAC we have an on-going program to decipher these biomarkers by the technique of Raman Laser Spectroscopy (RLS). Its a state-of the art molecular vibrational method that identifies a unique signature (fingerprint) of any disease condition by use of a 785 nm fiber optic laser light probe. Thus EHAC is the first medical clinic in St. Louis to use this cutting edge medical technology of RLS to pinpoint chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, allergy & inflammation,etc. Presently we are conducting studies on Autism in children and Allergy & Heavy Metal Toxicity in our patients. We encourage all those who are interested to visit our clinic and use this non-invasive technique to obtain a RLS scan of the skin (Fingerprint of Health/Disease, FOHG). We are also analysing biofluids such as urine, blood plasma and serum, saliva, etc.
In our other study of Autism in Children, we are using two approaches to unravel the mystery of this disease. In the first approach, we use buccal epithelial cells ( cheek cells) to grow them in cell culture and then study their mitchondrial energy metabilism. This study is done in collaboration with Washington Medical Center. In the second approach, we use the RLS technique to obtain a hand skin signature of autistic children compared to normal (control) children. We already have some exciting results in the Raman molecular vibrational shifts of skin biomolecules of autistic children compared to controls, in that specific shifts attributed to skin proteins & lipids (ceramides) are completely missing in an autistic condition compared to controls (NIH Grant Pending). This type of ‘Bar-Coding’ of the autistic profile will be a very exciting possibility. A complete data base of these ‘ Bar Codes’ will be assembled to decipher not only the autistic condition but also other chronic diseases.
Thus we encourage all St. Lousians ( adults & Children) to visit our Clinic (Environmental Health & Allergy Center, Florissant, 314 -921-5600) and enroll in either study. Please contact Dr. DeSilva for further info on RLS technique,( 314-378-1537).