SOMAmer-based Detection of Tuberculosis Biomarkers

Urs Ochsner of SomaLogic, Inc. in the U.S. will lead a team to expand and test a library of SOMAmers (slow off-rate modified aptamers) to identify protein biomarkers that indicate active tuberculosis from a small sample of blood. SOMAmers, which are modified nucleic acid-based protein-binding agents, offer several advantages over the antibodies traditionally used in diagnostic tests including greater stability, lower cost, and no need for refrigeration.