Metalloproteomics as an interdisciplinary area involving proteins and metals

The study of metals in biological systems is an emerging scientific field, receiving great attention as a new frontier, because it brings together researchers from many areas, including biology, chemistry, geology, medicine, physics and pharmacy. New possibilities in terms of strategies and instrumentation (microwave-assisted extraction, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Fourier transformed ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and others) have greatly improved the sample preparation, identification, localization and quantification of metals in proteins, together forming the basis of metalloproteomics. Therefore, this area forms an important bridge between researchers from different backgrounds. Here, we review the techniques themselves for qualitative and quantitative metalloproteomics, and provide evidence in the form of several example of different kinds of expertise working together to produce coherent and effective results in the area.