SomaLogic, Inc., a company renowned for its exceptional expertise in proteomics technology, has recently accomplished the 7,000-plex assay on and delivered data for 4,000 plasma samples obtained from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB), which is one of the most extensive longitudinal studies worldwide.
The assay conducted by the SomaLogic team has generated over 28 million data points that will be integrated with other existing data on genetics, lifestyle, anthropometry, and health outcomes to investigate various research inquiries. This project builds upon the prior success of the SomaScan® Platform, which has been utilized in several extensive population proteomics biobank initiatives, such as EPIC, MESA, Fenland, Whitehall II, HUNT3, CRIC, COPD Gene, Spiromics, deCODE, and ARIC datasets.
“The large-scale application of proteomics assays in big population biobanks such as CKB will be a game changer. Building on the experience gained in these initial 4,000 samples, we will seek to extend the use of the proteomic assay to a much larger number of samples in the near future,” said Professor Zhengming Chen, Richard Peto Professor of Epidemiology at Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford and UK-Principal Investigator of the China Kadoorie Biobank.
The purpose of establishing the China Kadoorie Biobank was to explore the primary genetic and environmental factors that contribute to prevalent chronic diseases in the Chinese population. In a span of four years between 2004 and 2008, more than 510,000 adults from ten specific regions in China were enlisted to participate. The participants underwent a comprehensive data collection process, including physical measurements and answering questionnaires. Furthermore, their blood samples were preserved for future research. A health insurance database is being linked to established registries to monitor the health outcomes of all participants.
Over the next several decades, this extensive and established research will serve as an unparalleled and valuable tool to explore the leading causes of various prevalent chronic illnesses. The information obtained from this project has the potential to enhance comprehension of disease etiology, risk assessment, and the creation of innovative treatments. This initiative is a long-standing partnership between Peking University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Oxford Population Health.
SomaLogic has developed the SomaScan Platform which is intended to serve as a versatile platform for research and development purposes, including translational research and biopharmaceutical development as well as clinical applications. By using just single 55 microliter plasma or serum sample, SomaLogic can perform about 7,000 protein measurements. To date, the company has successfully analyzed over 550,000 samples.
