Seer Insights – Translational Research Track

Tips for submitting a
strong proposal

The Seer Insights Translational Research Track supports studies that bridge biological discovery and real-world clinical or therapeutic impact.

Successful proposals clearly articulate the biological question being addressed, the study design, and how deep proteomic analysis using Seer’s Proteograph® workflow can generate meaningful insight. The following guidance may help strengthen your proposal.

Start with a clear translational question

Strong proposals begin with a specific biological or translational question rather than a broad exploratory objective.

Examples include:

  • Identifying circulating protein biomarkers associated with disease progression
  • Understanding biological mechanisms underlying treatment response or resistance
  • Discovering protein signatures associated with patient outcomes
  • Characterizing disease pathways using clinical or longitudinal cohorts

Projects that connect proteomic data to clinical or translational relevance are particularly well aligned with the program.

Clearly describe the biological context

Reviewers should quickly understand the biological system and study population.

Helpful information may include:

  • Disease area or biological focus
  • Sample type (e.g., plasma, serum, or CSF)
  • Patient cohorts or experimental groups
  • Study endpoints or clinical outcomes of interest

Providing this context helps reviewers assess the scientific relevance and potential impact of the project.

Outline a practical study design

A strong proposal provides enough detail to demonstrate that the study is well planned and feasible.

Consider including:

  • The number of samples available
  • The comparison groups or experimental conditions
  • Key variables or outcomes being studied
  • Any relevant sample preparation or preprocessing steps

Submissions should demonstrate that the proposed study can reasonably be completed within the 
program scope.

Explain how proteograph enables the study

One of the most important elements of a strong proposal is explaining why deep proteomic analysis is necessary to address the research question.

For example, proteomic analysis may enable:

  • Detection of circulating biomarkers not measurable through other technologies
  • Identification of active signaling pathways at the protein level
  • Discovery of novel proteins or isoforms associated with disease biology
  • Improved biological resolution compared with transcriptomic or affinity-based methods

Clearly articulating the role of the Proteograph workflow helps reviewers understand the unique value of the proposed study.

Emphasize potential impact

Strong submissions highlight the broader impact of the study. Proposals that demonstrate a clear path from proteomic insight to translational impact are particularly compelling.

Avoid common pitfalls

Applications are strongest when they avoid common issues such as:

  • Broad exploratory proposals without a clear hypothesis
  • Insufficient detail on study design or sample availability
  • Limited explanation of how proteomic analysis will address the research question
  • Lack of translational relevance

Providing clear, concise answers to these questions helps reviewers evaluate the proposal effectively.

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