A a recent review in the high-impact “genetics” journal Nature Review Genetics describes how next-generation proteomics follows in the footsteps of next-generation sequencing:

"The proteome is extremely multifaceted due to splicing and protein modifications, further amplified by the interconnectivity of proteins into complexes and signaling networks that are highly divergent in time and space. Proteome analysis heavily relies on mass spectrometry (MS). MS-based proteomics is starting to mature enabling for the first time a near complete proteome coverage, including important post-translational modifications, of a given cell or tissue. This emerging next-generation of proteomics has been reached through a combination of developments in instrumentation, sample preparation and computational analysis."

In the review Maarten Altelaar, Javuer Munoz and Albert Heck describe this progress highlighting recent applications.

Reference

• Next-generation proteomics: towards an integrative view of proteome dynamics. A.F. Maarten Altelaar, Javier Munoz and Albert J.R. Heck, Nat Rev Genet. 14 (2013) 35-48.

On one of the last days of 2012, mass spectrometry based proteomics research receives significant coverage as targeted proteomics was selected the Method of the Year 2012 by Nature Methods! Targeted Proteomics was selected because of its versatility and because the method provides a reliable alternative for other, more ambiguous methods, like antibody based detection of proteins. The latest issue of Nature Methods has significant coverage of the field of targeted proteomics, with several interviews with scientists who played key roles in bringing targeted proteomics to where it is today, among which is, naturally, also PRIME-XS partner Ruedi Aebersold.

The use of mass spectrometry to study proteins and answer biological questions is seen a great potential for the future, which is also substantiated by the fact that Mass spectrometry of intact protein complexes was selected as one of the Methods to Watch.

With such a rewarding ending of 2012, we must hope 2013 will bring as much for proteomics research!

All the best for 2013 on behalf of the entire PRIME-XS team!