Oxford Nanopore Proteomics
“Oxford Nanopore transformed DNA and RNA sensing and is poised to do the same with proteomics” – Lakmal Jayasinghe, Chief Scientific Officer
Proteomics
As part of our multiomics offering, our goal is to directly read and identify native proteins, just like we do with DNA and RNA, to empower research and improve health.
Our teams are working towards methods for protein analysis that will provide richer data, faster time to result, and more affordably and accessibly. The first approach is peptide-based detection, secondly is a longer-term goal of full-length protein identification.
The impact of protein analysis could be significant particularly for healthcare settings, as many diseases result from protein dysfunction rather than DNA mutations, and disease progression can be more clearly assessed through the wider proteome.
In development – peptide-based detection
Currently being optimised for two key applications:
1. Detection of protein biomarkers:
Detection of protein biomarkers in complex samples enables both the identification of target proteins and their absolute quantification across a broad dynamic range. Fast, easy, and accurate, this approach has the potential to support clinical panel development and facilitate the detection of biomarkers at ultra-low concentrations.
2. Protein barcoding:
A scalable tool for life science research, enabling quantification of the relative abundance of tagged proteins in a sample, and allowing multiplexing of assays or screening variant libraries.
If you're interested in collaborating with us, we invite you to get in touch here, and more details will be available soon.
In research
Full length protein identification: This will involve threading full-length proteins through pores, allowing the generation of a signal from the intact protein without enzymatic digestion.
Read Chief Scientific Officer, Lakmal Jayasinghe’s blog on proteomics here.
What the future holds
Progress towards:
Full-length protein identification - enabling fast, accurate assessment of proteins
Full-length protein sequencing - providing deep insights into proteoforms and functional modifications
Want to know more?
Watch Chief Scientific Officer, Lakmal Jayasinghe’s talk at London Calling 2025 here.