New Trajectories: Proteomics & Cellular Biology Innovators To Know.

The cellular biology and proteomics space is seeing a number of exciting start-up companies making gains in the market. Combining innovative technologies with creative expertise sees the rate of development increasing constantly.

In contrast to the complex and potentially reductive processing of genomics sequencing, providing only one genome for each organism following a high throughput and costly analysis of DNA data, proteomics sequencing offers a much greater wealth of data. Proteomics focuses on the identification, localisation, and functional analysis of the protein makeup of the cell. The proteins present in a cell, alongside their function and sub-cellular location, change dramatically with the organism dependent on the conditions faced by the host cell, including age, checkpoint in the cell cycle, and any external or internal signalling events. 

I’m keen to explore the newest offers from some of the most impressive companies to see what we may be able to expect across the sector.

PreOmics

Offering a range of sample preparation for proteins, peptides, and proteomic analysis, PreOmics have developed at great speed from their inception in 2010, led by Dr. Nils A. Kulak together with Dr. Garwin Pichler. Now based just south of Munich, Germany, their solutions are impressive.

The iST offers fast and reliable sample protein and proteomics preparation for mass spectrometry analysis. Time savings with this solution are considerable; whilst previous workflows require many different reagents and up to 48 hours of processing time, the iST contains all standardised reagents and allows for sample preparation and mass spectrometry analysis in a 2-hour time window. This single-step solution incorporates lysis, reduction, and alkylation, compatible with standard lab equipment.

PreOmics also offer sample preparation for biological fluids, peptide fractionation, positive pressure processing, and GFP immunoprecipitation preparation. With such optimised workflows, they’re definitely one to watch in the cellular biology and proteomics space.

Nautilus

The NULISA™  proteome analysis from Nautilus offers a reinvention of the immunoassay by leveraging the proprietary signal-to-noise ratio enhancement technology, alongside the latest advances in Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS). Combined, these developments provide ultra-high sensitivity and massively parallel scale to proteomic analysis.

Founded in 2016 with an ambitious pipeline of development, Nautilus looks to revolutionise biomedicine with a strong focus on proteomics technology. Working collaboratively across computer science, engineering, and biochemistry spaces with a team with broad expertise, the company is set to deliver impressive advancements to support precision medicine, and positively impact the health of millions worldwide.

Alamar

Alamar combines NULISA technology with Attobody, a novel antibody engineering platform pairing a proprietary design framework with an effective discovery process that yields picomolar affinity antibodies with built-in high specificity.

Thanks to these dual complementary processes, Alamar’s proteomics solution is able to achieve a single-digit attomolar detection limit, greatly surpassing some of the most sensitive protein detection technology on the market today, with great potential for advanced precision medicine capabilities.

Seer

Seer has developed a respected name in the proteomics space and offers expert capability for scientists in their Proteograph™ Analysis Suite 2.0. The platform provides seamless and prompt data analysis, covering biomarker discovery, rare disease and cancer multi-omics, and post-translational modifications - all with a strong foundation of proteogenomics.

The Suite’s latest upgrade introduces a first-of-its-kind, scalable, high-resolution proteogenomics workflow to help build the most advanced custom peptide database available, perform variant peptide searches and explore results in the most streamlined timeframe available.

Evosep

Working in the clinic proteomics space, Evosep aims to vastly improve patient care through innovation in protein-based clinical diagnostics, working with world-leading scientists from their base in Denmark.

The Evosep One: EV-1000 offers revolutionary proteomics for the cellular biology clinical space. A standardised platform built for optimum robustness and high throughput, the EV-1000 uses Evotips as disposable trap columns, with samples loaded and desalted offline. The autosampler picks up the tip and integrates elutions with liquid chromatography, removing sample handling steps and reducing overheads.

Scipio Bioscience

Scipio Bioscience focuses on an accessible, instrument-free solution for scRNA-seq experiments. Their Asteria™ benchtop kit leads their range, allowing the processing of 15,000 input cells simultaneously with cheaper sample preparation costs, early stable stopping points, and fast and high-quality results.

The Asteria is supported by the Cytonaut single-cell cloud-based software platform that supports the entire single-cell analysis process, from processing raw sequencing data to post-processing results, differential gene expression, and interactive data visualisation. The Cytonaut also allows cell subtype identification and trajectory analysis with optimum accessibility. 

Cellenion

Leading in the cellular biology space, Cellenion have developed an enviable proteomics offer. The cellenONE® platform is built on a foundation of sciDROP PICO precision dispensing technology, providing advanced image processing, real-time single-cell isolation and high-accuracy dispensing. The platform preserves incredible cell viability, ensuring viability for all cloning applications and sequencing applications. 

Cellenion have also developed an innovative large-particle sorter and dispenser in the spheroONE®, allowing incredible 3D cellular model handling. Allowing advanced selection and isolation of single spheroids and organoids opens new doors in drug screening and the use of proteomics. 

Alithea Genomics

Revolutionising the large-scale RNA sequencing space, Alithea Genomics is taking firm hold of the cellular biology commercial sector. The MERCURIUS™ BRB-seq library preparation kit offers one-tube processing with preparation for Next-Gen Sequencing, with all the oligos and enzymes needed to take users from purified RNA to sequencing-ready DNA.  

Their solution is compatible with blood, cell lysate, and organoid lysate BRB-seq, and runs alongside BRB-seq data pre-processing tools and cloud platform for convenient data multiplexing.  

Utilising Technologies for A Bold Future.

From sample preparation to spectrometry analysis and a broad range of sequencing possibilities, the wealth of innovations in the proteomics and cellular biology space is remarkable. Companies working in the sector are taking a clear hold on future trajectories with solutions supporting improved diagnostics and patient care, whilst it remains a fruitful time for start-ups to bring their work into the community and investment and recruitment opportunities within the cellular biology and proteomics spaces are exciting.

Are you interested in discussing any of the companies, technologies or anything else covered in this article in some more detail with me? I'd love to hear from you! Drop me a message at jamie.maguire@lifesci-cm.com or connect with me on LinkedIn to chat.