Olink Target 96 Neuro Exploratory

Casting a broader net to further explore the complexity of the human proteome

Please note that these details apply to the version of the panel with article number 95391, released on June 13, 2019. This replaces the previous version with article number 95390 (see the update page for details of the assay changes).

Complementing and expanding on our previous portfolio of disease area-focused biomarker panels, our exploratory panels offers scientists the chance to cast a wider net in the quest to identify new biomarkers and relevant protein signatures, offering many new assays focused on important biological processes with wide-ranging clinical relevance.

Olink^® Target 96 Neuro Exploratory offers simultaneous measurement of 92 proteins using just 1 µL of plasma, serum, CSF, or other types of human sample, and includes a combination of exploratory and established markers with a focus on neurology-related diseases, and biological processes such as axon development, neurogenesis and synapse assembly. Note that in addition to Olink’s thorough validation in serum/plasma, the assays in this panel were also fully validated in CSF.

The established proteins include Neurofilament light polypeptide (Uniprot no. P07196)*, which is an important marker for degenerative neurological diseases and traumatic brain injury. As shown below, the Olink assay for this marker shows outstanding performance comparable to the existing gold-standards, while providing simultaneous measurement of 91 other proteins.

Comparison of Olink’s NFL assay (92-plex format) with the high sensitivity Simoa NF-light® assay from Quanterix, using plasma from MS patients and control subjects (samples supplied courtesy of Prof. Tomas Olsson, KI, Sweden).

(*The Olink assay for Neurofilament light polypeptide uses the NF-light® antibodies from UmanDiagnostics, Umeå Sweden.)

This panel is a perfect complement to our neurological disease-focused panel, Olink® Target 96 Neurology, enabling a wider, more exploratory approach to neurological studies.

All assays are subject to Olink’s strict technical validation and QC control procedures. The selection of protein biomarker assays is designed to provide the optimal dynamic range, as well as to focus on proteins with relevance for neurological processes and diseases. Categorization of the proteins included in the panel was carried out via referral to widely used public-access bioinformatic databases, including Uniprot, Human Protein Atlas, Gene Ontology (GO) and DisGeNET.

An alphabetical list of the 92 proteins with links to the individual biomarker pages containing additional information and assay validation data can be found at the bottom of this page.

An overview of how the 92 biomarker assays in the panel are classified according to Biological Process, Disease Area, Tissue Expression and Protein Class (based on widely used public-access bioinformatic databases, including Uniprot, Human Protein Atlas, Gene Ontology (GO) and DisGeNET) can be seen in the charts below. These charts are interactive: click on a chart-bar or pie-segment to see the list of biomarkers in that classification. Each item in the list links to the detailed biomarker page with validation data. Please note that these classifications are intended for general guidance only and while correct at the time of publication, they are not updated in real-time and you are advised to always check the source databases in order to see the latest updates regarding the information for specific proteins.

Biological Process

Disease Area

Tissue Expression

Protein Class

A comprehensive list of all protein biomarkers that can be measured using the currently available biomarker panels can be seen on the biomarker library page.

Note: A printable list of the biomarker assays available in this panel, as well as a full data validation document, can be downloaded from our Document download center >>

If you prefer not to run the assay yourself, let our experts here at Olink do this for you via our Analysis Service.

The biomarker pages linked to below include calibrator curves that show the performance of each assay with the estimated sensitivity and dynamic range parameters indicated. These curves are generated during the assay validation process using recombinant antigens, with data presented as Normalized Protein eXpression (NPX) values plotted against protein concentration (in pg/mL). Please note that when analyzing biological samples the data generated will be given in the form of relative quantification (NPX values) and cannot be converted to absolute protein concentrations. For more info about NPX measurements, please view the FAQ.

Please note: Two assays were replaced  in the current version of the panel (see details). Although these assays were subject to rigorous validation & QC during their development, final validation data in full-panel context is not yet available. This will be updated as soon as possible.