Proteomics
Dissect the proteome to uncover key biomarkers and decode the mechanisms of life from the terminal executors of function.
Olink Targeted Proteomics
Olink targeted proteomics leverages proximity extension assay (PEA) for high-specificity, high-multiplex protein biomarker detection, focusing on precise targeting, minute samples and clinical translation. Dual-antibody recognition with DNA-coupled signal amplification quantifies specific proteomes in fluid, cell or tissue samples. It overcomes the low throughput and large sample demand of immunoassays and the poor clinical compatibility and high cost of MS proteomics.
Principle Introduction
Olink is a high-throughput protein detection method measuring hundreds of proteins with high sensitivity and specificity. Principle: Probe design—two specific proximity probes (antibodies) recognize different sites of the target protein, each carrying a DNA oligonucleotide; when both bind, the DNA strands form a connected template. Amplification—all templates are amplified millions-fold with labeled nucleotides. Detection—Olink PCR with a universal probe produces fluorescence proportional to target protein amount.
Literature
In "Biomarkers and therapeutic targets in early Alzheimer's disease: an Olink proteomics study" (Frontiers in Neurology), 30 subjects (10 HC, 10 MCI, 10 PET-confirmed early AD) were analyzed with the Olink Inflammation Target 96 panel (92 inflammatory proteins). Versus HC, 6 proteins were significantly up in AD; UPA and CDCP1 were already elevated in MCI, suggesting pre-clinical markers. Enrichment pointed to neuroinflammation, neuronal death and synaptic dysfunction, validating plasma inflammatory proteins as feasible early AD biomarkers.
Deliverables
QC report
sample quality (protein degradation via reference proteins, contamination); PEA quality (positive-control efficiency, negative-control signal, CV ≤10%); quantification quality (detection rate, batch-effect correction shown by PCA).
Protein quantification & annotation
Target/Explore HT matrix (npx, log2FC, P, FDR); differential list, volcano/heatmap; function, disease association, pathway and known-marker annotation.
Functional analysis
ROC/survival/risk-score models; GO/KEGG enrichment (Top20) and PPI; protein–phenotype heatmaps and pQTL for large cohorts.
Interpretation report
biomarker candidates, protein–disease association strength, clinical-translation potential; biological significance and technical advantages.
FAQ
Use same-source, same-batch samples; focus on proteins consistent/complementary with mRNA; intersect co-enriched pathways; use the Olink–transcriptome–metabolome integration module.
Biological R²≥0.95, technical R²≥0.98; add 20% QC samples per batch and apply ComBat correction in Olink Insight; standardize antibody lots and protocols (UKB-PPP: 540k samples in 1,000 batches, 98% post-correction consistency).
