#USA #San Diego #Illumina Protein Prep #SOMA technology #NGS-based proteomics

Illumina Protein Prep: A New Era in Drug Discovery

Illumina Inc. has officially launched its latest innovation, the Illumina Protein Prep, aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of drug discovery by enhancing proteomic insights. This new platform promises to deliver outstanding performance in next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based proteomic research, marking a significant advancement in the field.

Accelerating Drug Development

The Illumina Protein Prep is designed to facilitate large-scale proteomics studies, allowing researchers to achieve greater accuracy and efficiency in their workflows. By offering a streamlined process that takes samples from collection to insights, this tool enables scientists to delve deeper into the complex world of protein biology. It supports the analysis of up to 9,500 unique human protein targets, providing invaluable data that can inspire new discoveries in disease treatment.

Steve Barnard, Illumina's Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the importance of NGS-based proteomics in fostering rapid, reliable research. He stated, "NGS-based proteomics plays a critical role in supporting large-scale studies and accelerates the drug discovery process for our biopharmaceutical partners.” This technology is set to transform biological discovery through the multi-omic approach, joining forces across various domains of healthcare.

The Science Behind Protein Prep

The Illumina Protein Prep leverages SOMAmer™ technology, which allows for the simultaneous measurement of numerous proteins within a single assay. This innovative approach provides researchers with expansive insights into biological mechanisms and disease states. Understanding gene expression and the role that proteins play in various health conditions is essential for discovering biomarkers and developing targeted therapies.

By combining the power of Illumina's NovaSeq™ sequencing platforms with sophisticated software like DRAGEN™ for protein alignment and multi-omic analyses, the Protein Prep solution maximizes the potential of proteomic research. This integration offers researchers an unprecedented ability to analyze thousands of proteins concurrently, simplifying complex data sets into actionable insights that can lead to therapeutic advancements.

Positive Feedback from Early Access Customers

As a testament to its efficiency, the Illumina Protein Prep has received accolades from early access customers since its initial rollout in 2024. With nearly 30,000 samples processed under the 6K test and over 6,000 samples handled with the new 9.5K test launched earlier this year, users have praised its scalability, consistency, and ease of use. The feedback has been instrumental in refining the user experience, making it an indispensable tool in the pharmaceutical industry.

Bridging the Gap in Rare Disease Research

The advent of large-scale proteomic studies is particularly significant in the context of rare diseases. These studies facilitate real-time insights into cellular activities, helping to identify critical biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as cancer and metabolic disorders. The Illumina Protein Prep enables researchers to create proteogenomic studies that uncover the intricate links between genetic variants and protein expression, guiding drug discovery processes.

For instance, researchers involved in the 100,000 Genomes Project spearheaded by Genomics England aim to enhance diagnostic yields for rare diseases, utilizing the Illumina Protein Prep to profile over 7,800 participants. Their findings have demonstrated promising increases in diagnostic efficiency, showing a 7.5% improvement based on preliminary results from their pilot studies.

Professor Matthew Brown, Scientific Director at Genomics England, highlighted the potential impact of proteomics, stating, "Proteomics has historically been considered a separate research test; our study demonstrates its potential for a far larger clinical impact in both rare and common conditions.”

Future Prospects in Melanoma Research

The implications of the Illumina Protein Prep extend into cancer research, particularly within the field of immunotherapy for treatment-resistant melanoma subtypes. Dr. Kasey Couts, co-director of the CU Rare Melanomas Center, is utilizing the platform to study rare melanoma types, seeking to unravel the mechanisms that contribute to their resistance to typical therapies.

With the ability to analyze up to 9,500 proteins, the Illumina Protein Prep provides Dr. Couts and her team with a powerful, unbiased tool to examine these complex conditions. Their research could pave the way for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against rare malignant tumors.

Conclusion

As the scientific community continues to explore the frontiers of proteomics, Illumina’s commitment to driving innovation through tools like the Protein Prep is clear. This new platform not only augments our understanding of protein biology and its implications in health but also signals a transformative shift in how we approach drug discovery. For more information, visit illumina.com/proteinprep.