Perspectives in Clinical Proteomics Conference: translating clinical proteomics into clinical practice

Although there have been numerous publications on biomarkers, few new tests have been adopted in routine clinical practice. The major purpose of the very interesting multidisciplinary Perspectives in Clinical Proteomics Conference, which was convened under the auspices of the Wellcome Trust at the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus near Cambridge, was to explore reasons for this. Established and emerging proteomic markers in conditions ranging from kidney disease to neurochemical dementia were reviewed on the first day, while presentations on the second day specifically addressed the all-important question, "What does it take to translate a biomarker into clinical use?" More than 70 participants representing 60 organizations, nine countries and varied backgrounds convened in the tranquil surroundings of the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus for this truly multidisciplinary conference. Attendees included representatives from regulatory bodies, research institutions, academic institutions, professional organizations and the diagnostics and pharmaceutical industries. The stated intention of the organizers - Rolf Apweiler, Roz Banks, Mike Dunn, Scott Patterson and Jennifer van Eyk - was to stimulate informed debate and they succeeded admirably. Some highlights from each of the three excellent conference sessions are described briefly here.