Advancing mass spectrometry-based clinical proteomics in Saudi Arabia. Establishing a Saudi Proteomics Society

Rapid developments in the field of mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic technologies holds great promise in the search for clinically useful protein biomarkers for early detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of disease in general, and for monitoring response to therapy. Proteomics may contribute to finding novel drug targets and unravel molecular pathways associated with disease. Despite the application of clinical proteomics to a wide spectrum of disease research globally, however, there is lack of data with regard to quantitative proteomics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for the diseases common to the Saudi population. In this review therefore, we will discuss some aspects of clinical proteomics with regard to the occurrence of common diseases, and outline our perspectives and vision in the context of KSA. Furthermore, we aim to introduce the concept of a national Saudi Proteomics Society in the Kingdom as part of an advanced research and development program.