A rapid protein profiling system that speeds study of cancer and other diseases

To realize its potential to transform research and medicine, genomics must be complemented by protein expression data. Analysis by SELDI-TOF-MS technology, implemented in the ProteinChip System, overcomes the limitations of traditional protein analysis methods by enabling rapid analysis of small amounts of crude protein extracts and providing size and functional characterization on total cellular or tissue populations of proteins. The system has already been put to constructive use in many laboratories and has enabled researchers to determine unique protein profile signatures characteristic of progression from healthy to diseased states and back. In addition to its research applications, recent experimental successes suggest that the technology may soon find use in the important work of early diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, and other medical conditions.