Proteomics is Just the Beginning of a Long Journey

In February, 2001, scientists gave the world a look at an astounding achievement -- the first major analysis of the DNA sequence known as the human genome. This set of roughly 34,000 genes is what makes humans unique and different from dogs, frogs, or fruit flies. It has been discussed in the media as the key to the development of wondrous new pharmaceuticals and diagnostic tests. In a sense, it is. But researchers know that there is a long road from DNA sequences to the life-saving drugs and tests the public is hoping for.

The missing link between the genome and the development of new pharmaceuticals is a clear understanding of how the genetic blueprint is expressed through proteins and how, in turn, proteins differ in healthy or diseased cells. Only after researchers have the opportunity to do a lot of hard work in proteomics -- the identification and analysis of the function of proteins in the body -- will they sufficiently understand the dynamics of healthy and diseased cells. The amount of research necessary in proteomics will dwarf the effort already expended in understanding the genome. In the end, this research effort may help pharmaceutical companies translate great science into future drugs.

Understanding the role of proteins

Proteomics involves the characterization of individual- and multi-protein complexes that drive cell physiology. Altogether, there may be hundreds of thousands of these proteins in humans, though not all of them are equally important or equally plentiful. Certain low-abundance proteins may play crucial roles in cell function in disease states. Understanding the roles of these low-abundance proteins could show researchers how to modify the behavior of diseased cells.

Along the road to understanding the role of proteins, scientists around the world will generate an enormous amount of research. As always, the speed and accuracy of data acquisition is at a premium. Such challenges lend credence to Edison's observation that success is "1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Somewhere in the perspiration phase, advanced instrumentation can help pave the way to breakthroughs in science.

Accelerating the pace of protein characterization

Proteomics is a relatively new field and it comes as no surprise that the analysis needs of researchers are constantly changing. One key to success is the availability of new tools to help identify the presence of known proteins and characterize novel proteins in a sample accurately. And, as ever, high throughput is a priority to help researchers meet their goals and schedules.

Agilent Technologies offers a wide range of components, instruments, and systems to aid in protein research. Researchers need very fast, high resolution, RP-HPLC separation of proteins, DNA and other macromolecules. Agilent ZORBAX Poroshell LC columns feature a revolutionary chromatography media -- superficially porous particles -- to meet that need. Poroshell columns produce minimal bleed even at high temperatures, giving clean signals at ultra high speed. They also exhibit low backpressure for separations at very high flow rates.

Researchers frequently require high-volume protein purification as well as ultrasensitive protein identification and characterization. Agilent 1100 Series liquid chromatographs are flexible enough to handle both tasks. They can be configured for preparative-scale, high-volume protein purification. They can also be configured for capillary-LC operation and paired with an ion trap mass spectrometer for ultrasensitive protein identification and characterization.

Peptide separation and mapping are enhanced by fast separations, selectivity manipulation, and low sample and buffer consumption. The Agilent 1100 Series capillary electrophoresis system provides these capabilities and offers an attractive alternative for researchers looking for optimal results.

Attomole-level detection and identification require tremendous measurement sensitivity. Agilent provides this in its LC/MS/MS systems, which combine Agilent's 1100 Series capillary LC with the ultrasensitive Agilent 1100 Series LC/MSD Trap SL ion trap mass spectrometer. Automated, data-dependent MS/MS with active exclusion and preferred charge-state selection maximizes the acquisition of unique, high quality data. Integrated software applications allow unattended processing of entire sample sequences from sample injection through protein database searching and report generation.

Analysis of protein over-expression, protein purification and antibody production all become faster and easier with the Protein 200 LabChip® kit and Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. This system, jointly developed by Agilent Technologies and Caliper Technologies, uses Caliper's revolutionary laboratory-on-a-chip technology to analyze a wide range of samples. Each chip can provide size and concentration information for ten different protein samples in under 30 minutes. Researchers no longer need to choose gels and buffers, or perform tedious staining or imaging.

Looking to the future

As more is learned about proteomics, new and better analysis techniques will replace earlier methods. Even such a well-established technique as gel electrophoresis is giving way to two-dimensional liquid chromatography. When new needs arise, Agilent will be working to provide the tools that allow researchers to do great science and meet the promise of the genome.

For more information

To learn more about Agilent's wide range of solutions for proteomics, as well as other chemical analysis products and resources, please return to the main page of the Chemical/Life Sciences section of our Web site.

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