DATE: June 6, 2017
TIME: 8:00am PT, 11:00am ET

Early detection of protein biomarkers is critical to the study of human disease (cancer, neurobiology, inflammation/autoimmunity, etc). Basic research scientists, as well as translational investigators seek sensitive protein quantitation tools that provide low-level detection of disease relevant protein analytes. The enzyme-­linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) first developed in the 1970s and slightly improved upon over the years, is still considered the gold standard for specific protein quantitation. However, large sample consumption, limited sensitivity, and laborious workflows associated with ELISA methods leave room for improvement and new innovation. 

Thermo Fisher Scientific, the worldwide leader in life science tools for researchers, is unveiling an affordable new platform for the next generation of high­sensitivity, ready-to-use immunoassays. Featuring serum compatible, TaqMan™ based proximity ligation assay (PLA) and Siteclick™ antibody labeling technologies, this new assay combines the analyte specificity of high affinity antibody-antigen binding with the signal detection and amplification of real-time PCR. Not only does this assay technique allow measurement of low expressing proteins that we may not have otherwise been able to detect, but it also provides an easy method to verify gene expression at a protein level. 

In this webinar, we will address the following items related to this new platform: 

• Small sample consumption – uses 2-5 µL of sample (for example, 2uL vs 150uL for triplicate wells with other methods)  
• High-sensitivity – detect low levels of proteins with greater sensitivity than other traditional methods 
• Large dynamic range – 5 logs or greater minimizes guessing associated with sample dilutions
• Fast, easy workflow – no wash steps, 2 hours from sample to answer. Step 1: Mix samples with antibodies and incubate. Step 2: Add master mix reagents and place into real time PCR instrument.
• No proprietary instrument to purchase - Runs on any real time PCR instrument – no need for specialized equipment
• Includes intuitive free cloud-enabled software – for robust data analysis and statistical groupwise comparison
• Publishing - The importance of validation for publishing purposes
• Q & A with the expert