Editorial for 'advances in biological mass spectrometry and proteomics'.

摘要

Biological mass spectrometry has been a key tool in deciphering the post-genomic molecular complexity of life. Together with its applications in proteomics it has pushed the bioanalytical limits further in order to satisfy the ever increasing demand for greater sensitivity, accuracy and throughput. Although proteomics had to undergo a period of disappointing progress after its initial 'hype and hope' phase, it is difficult to ignore the fact that it is the proteins which are the crucial task force and response units of biological organisms, and thus advances in protein analysis will be an essential part of learning more about their mode of (inter)action. However, many beginners' mistakes have been made in proteomics and it has become clear that just more and faster is often not the right analytical strategy if the important aspects of accuracy, precision and validity are not considered.