Methods in molecular cardiology: proteome analysis

Proteins are involved in virtually every cellular function, they control regulatory mechanisms and are modified in diseases (either cause or effect). To understand the function and adaptation of a cell, the researcher has to be able to identify proteins and visualise the concentrations and form in which the proteins are expressed. The technique is called 'proteomics' or 'proteome analysis'. In this article proteomics will be explained from starting material to detection and analysis of the individual proteins. It will give an indication of the work involved and how it can be implemented in cardiovascular research.