White papers
White paperMolecular Mimicry: Linking Infection to Autoimmunity
Autoimmune diseases often begin with a case of mistaken identity – when the immune system confuses the body’s own proteins with those of invading microbes. This phenomenon, known as molecular mimicry, is a growing area of research linking infections to chronic inflammation and autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and schizophrenia. In this white paper, explore the science behind mimicry-driven autoimmunity, discover the microbes implicated across disease areas, and learn how antibody profiling can help advance diagnostics and therapeutic development.
White paperAddress Key Challenges in Vaccine Development with Antibody ProfilingBeyond Genetics: Autoantibodies as Biomarkers
Tackle the toughest challenges in vaccine development with our white paper, Address Key Challenges in Vaccine Development with Antibody Profiling. This comprehensive resource identifies five critical hurdles faced in the vaccine development process and explains how antibody profiling can streamline each stage, from discovery to clinical trials. Learn how Sengenics protein microarrays enable precise and accurate antibody profiling, helping to accelerate development timelines and improve vaccine efficacy.
White paperEnsuring reproducibility in proteomics: Why coefficient of variation is a critical metric
The SomaScan® Assay from SomaLogic is the only proteomic technology capable of measuring thousands of proteins while achieving a high throughput with high reproducibility. The platform is powered by chemically modified DNA aptamers called SOMAmer® reagents. SOMAmer reagents consist of short single-stranded DNA sequences that incorporate hydrophobic modifications, greatly expanding the physiochemical diversity of the large randomized nucleic acid libraries from which the SOMAmer reagents are selected. The performance metrics for all SOMAmer reagents in human serum and plasma are provided via the SomaScan Assay online menu tool at menu.somalogic.com. Although SomaLogic’s core features (high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility) are the main reasons the SomaScan Platform is utilized from biomarker discovery to clinical diagnosis, the power of its low coefficients of variation (CVs) is underappreciated. The SomaScan Assay has maintained a median CV of ~5%, which results in the ability to detect smaller biological changes with higher study power compared to other proteomic technologies. The following discussion captures the vast benefits of low CVs, as well as the specific value of the unrivaled SomaScan Platform CVs.
White paperThe missing link between genes and disease: Discovery of protein quantitative trait loci using high-plex protein profiling
The ability to sequence the human genome has enabled researchers to identify genetic variants associated with disease risk, but identifying causal genes or mechanisms has proven to be much more difficult. Genes provide the blueprints to make proteins, which are essential functional molecules of the human body. Mutations of proteins and disruption of protein networks can cause diseases, which is why proteins are the target molecules for over 90% of approved therapeutics.
White paperThe SomaScan® Assay enables discovery of blood-based biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases
Blood-based biomarkers show promise as a minimally invasive, cost-effective option for the detection, classification, and monitoring of neurologic diseases.1-3
White paperCOVID-19 and the SomaScan® Platform
The battle against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) only begins with a test to identify who is infected and who is not. To accelerate an effective response, we have to move beyond the initial diagnosis to prognosis: Who is most susceptible to developing serious, life-threatening symptoms? Currently, there is no way to tell whether an infected individual (or an individual who may become infected) will be asymptomatic or require hospitalization. This wide variation in disease severity is, at least in part, a reflection of the myriad changes that occur within a person’s body as it fights the virus, which in turn reflect the unique biological makeup of that individual.
White paperAssessing pre-analytical variation for more accurate proteomic data
Results are only as good as the samples used to generate them. Good sample in, good data out. In fact, analysis of uncontrolled samples can generate misleading data and cause setbacks in research efforts that cost time, money, and possible loss of precious samples. Biological samples are inherently variable and can differ greatly in their stability. For example, DNA is relatively stable and can often withstand harsh storage conditions. Proteins, however, are particularly vulnerable to inconsistent collection methods, storage temperatures, and processing methods. It is thus critically important to minimize pre-analytical variation when preparing samples for protein assays.
White paperDetection of low-abundance serum proteins associated with Prediabetes for predictive and prognostic purposes
Diabetes mellitus refers to a family of metabolic disorders that are characterized by elevated blood glucose concentrations, or hyperglycemia. The International Diabetes Federation estimated that in 2015 there were 415 million diabetes cases worldwide in the 20-79 year old age group and predicted that number to increase to 640 million by 2040. In the whitepaper you will uncover: Predicting disease onset via clinical biomarkers Applying the SomaScan® Assay to accurately identify serum proteins associated with diabetic risk and outcome Other potential applications for the SomaScan Assay in diabetes research
White paperIdentify protein biomarkers for aging research with the SomaScan® Assay
Advanced age is the single greatest risk factor for disease; however, aging is a complex and multifactorial process, and its mechanisms are still poorly understood. It has been shown that aging activates common transcriptional patterns across most organs and tissues, such as inflammatory, stress response and transcriptional regulation pathways1, suggesting the changes are systemic and interrelated. Exposing a young, healthy organism to plasma from old mice, for example, slows down tissues regeneration in a manner that resembles aging2. Conversely, exposure to plasma from young blood is capable of restoring youthful phenotypes 3,4. Understanding the primary factors that affect tissue and organ function on a cellular level may lead to developing treatments that can help people stay healthy and live longer.
White paperCirculating protein biomarkers are a promising avenue for predicting patient response to cancer immunotherapies
Cancer Immunotherapy relies on activating or enhancing the antitumor immune response and has taken a central position in cancer treatment modalities. While offering a generally safer and more efficacious alternative to standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy, not all patients respond to immunotherapy, and combination immunotherapies increase cost of treatment and heighten the risk for toxicity-related adverse events. An understanding of the molecular factors that contribute to clinical outcomes could enable improved selection of subject cohorts; therefore, identifying predictive biomarkers of immunotherapy response has become a growing focus of immuno-oncology research.
White paperDetection of low-abundance serum proteins associated with cardiovascular diseases for prognostic purposes
As the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) includes a family of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. The primary origin of CVD is most often atherosclerotic in nature, in which fatty plaque deposits line arteries and obstruct circulation of blood. The etiology of CVD is multifactorial and is shaped by the interaction of genes and environment and further influenced by age and gender.
White paperSerum protein signatures as a non-invasive tool for monitoring nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
NASH and NAFLD are characterized by distinct sets of protein signatures. In our latest white paper, we discuss how researchers have used the SomaScan® Assay to characterize and predict NASH non-invasively, even beating the best available clinical model. Download the white paper to learn more about how to get the most out of your NASH and NAFLD clinical samples with the world’s most impactful protein assay.