Dante Genomics
SOMAscan Assay 7K
SOMAscan Assay 7K
Sample Types
SomaScan's advanced technology is a powerful tool for the analysis of a wide range of biological samples, extending beyond the traditional core samples of blood, plasma, and serum to include non-core samples such as urine, saliva, tissues, and other bodily fluids. This broad applicability enhances our ability to discover biomarkers and understand diseases at a molecular level, offering significant advancements in personalized medicine and diagnostic processes. Non-core samples, often obtained through non-invasive or minimally invasive methods, can yield unique insights into specific health conditions, complementing the information obtained from plasma and serum analyses.
Core Sample Types
Plasma
Plasma, the liquid component of blood, is rich in proteins, including hormones, enzymes, and antibodies, making it a critical sample for detecting a wide range of diseases. Its analysis can reveal insights into the body's physiological and pathological states. For instance, the detection of specific coagulation factors in plasma can help in diagnosing blood clotting disorders, while the presence of certain antibodies can indicate autoimmune diseases. SomaLogic's technology enables the comprehensive profiling of plasma proteins, facilitating the discovery of novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis, progression, and therapeutic response monitoring.
Serum
Serum is obtained by removing blood cells and clotting factors from blood, leaving behind a fluid rich in proteins. It is commonly used for serological testing, including the detection of antibodies to pathogens, making it invaluable in diagnosing infectious diseases, immune status evaluation, and vaccine development. Serum analysis through SomaLogic technology can identify biomarkers for a broad spectrum of conditions, from infectious diseases to cancer. For example, the identification of tumor markers in serum can provide non-invasive means for cancer screening and monitoring, enhancing early detection and personalized treatment strategies.
Non - Core Sample Types
Urine
Urine is a non-invasive sample reflecting the body's metabolic state and kidney function. It is especially useful for identifying biomarkers of renal and urinary tract diseases, as well as some metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. For instance, the presence of specific proteins in urine can indicate early kidney damage in diabetic patients, allowing for timely interventions to prevent the progression to kidney failure.
Saliva
Saliva contains a wide range of proteins and other molecules that can reflect general health status, as well as specific oral and systemic conditions. It has been used to identify biomarkers for infectious diseases, such as HIV and COVID-19, offering a non-invasive and easily accessible sample collection method. Furthermore, research has explored its use in the early detection of certain types of cancer, like oral and pancreatic cancer.
Tissues
Tissue samples are crucial for studying oncological diseases and specific organ pathologies. SomaLogic technology can analyze proteins expressed in tissue samples to identify tumor biomarkers, provide insights into disease progression, and treatment response. This is particularly relevant for cancer research, where characterizing the tumor's proteomic profile can guide the selection of the most effective and personalized therapies.
Other Bodily Fluids
Other bodily fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), offer unique windows into specific conditions. CSF, for example, is essential in studying neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as it contains biomarkers that directly reflect pathological processes in the brain. Analyzing specific proteins in these samples can aid in early diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
Therapeutic Areas and Obtained Results
-
Neurology: Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
- Study: an article published in the "Journal of Neurological Sciences" examined the use of SomaScan technology to identify biomarkers in the plasma of patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
- Results: the study identified a panel of 10 proteins with a diagnostic accuracy of 85% for distinguishing between healthy subjects and patients with early-stage Alzheimer's. Additionally, some biomarkers were correlated with disease progression, offering new targets for early therapeutic interventions.
-
Cardiology: Cardiovascular Diseases
- Study: research published in "European Heart Journal" analyzed protein expression in patients with heart failure using the SomaScan platform.
- Results: the study revealed that elevated levels of certain circulating proteins were predictive of hospitalization and mortality in heart failure patients, with a specificity of 90% and a sensitivity of 88%. These biomarkers offer a pathway for personalized clinical management of patients.
-
Metabolic Diseases: Diabetes
Study: an article in "Diabetes Care" documented the use of SomaScan technology to identify biomarkers in the serum of patients with previously undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Results: the study identified 15 specific biomarkers that not only predicted the development of type 2 diabetes with an accuracy of 80% but were also implicated in key metabolic pathways of insulin resistance, providing new opportunities for targeted interventions.
-
Oncology: Breast Cancer
Study: research described in "The Oncologist" utilized SomaScan to analyze the blood protein profile of patients with early-stage breast cancer.
Results: the analysis identified a set of proteins that could accurately distinguish between benign and malignant tumors, with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 89%. Moreover, some biomarkers were associated with specific treatment responses, suggesting pathways for personalized therapies.
Sample Type for Therapeutic Areas
Human
The most extensively studied, for a wide range of medical conditions and therapeutic areas.
Non-Human Primates
Used in preclinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatments.
Dog and Cat
Important for veterinary research and comparative studies with humans.
Mouse
Essential for basic research and specific disease models.
Instructions for Proper Sample Shipment for SomaScan Analysis.
Tube Selection:
Thermo ScientificTM MatrixTM 0.5 mL screw-cap, 2D barcoded tubes (Thermo
ScientificTM Catalog Number: 3744) are recommended. These tubes have low protein
binding capacity. https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/3744
You can opt for tubes with clear caps (Product Code 3744) or with different colored
caps (e.g., 3744WHI for white cap). The use of colored caps similar to the analysis
controls (white, red, green) is not recommended.
In case you not able to send the samples in the indicated tubes, but in common vials,
check how to handle the excess material, If you want to keep the material for later
studies, and you need it back, you can do the thawing and send the necessary amount,
approximately 130μL
Sample Processing:
If the samples are already in Thermo ScientificTM MatrixTM tubes, no further processing
is necessary.
Otherwise, thaw the samples and transfer 55μL into two Thermo ScientificTM MatrixTM
tubes. One tube will be used for the SomaScan test, the other as a backup.
About Freezing and Thawing Cycles:
The frequency of freezing and thawing can affect protein levels, therefore, it is
important to keep track of the thawing cycles.
If you send plasma according to the protocol and have performed one thawing cycle,
it is recommended that plasma samples (55 μL) are sent in the recommended tubes.
This will ensure only two freeze-thaw cycles. Changing tubes will result in 3 cycles.
Sample Volume:
For plasma and serum, a minimum volume of 130 μL is required if not using the
recommended tubes. This volume allows for the transfer of 2x 55 μL into the
recommended tube.
If sending two 55 μL tubes per sample, ship in two separate boxes. Store both boxes
at -80°C. During the analysis, one box will be thawed and the other will be kept as
backup, it is not necessary to send the two aliquots from 55μL, you can send one from
130μL .
Storage and Shipping:
All samples should be shipped with dry ice in adequate quantities to ensure
temperature is maintained throughout the trip.
Store samples at -80°C after collection and receipt.