Neuroproteomics: Methods and Protocols presents experimental details for
applying proteomics to the study of the central nervous system (CNS) and
its dysfunction through trauma and disease. The target audience includes
clinical or basic scientists who look to apply proteomics to the
neurosciences. Often researchers hear of proteomics without an adequate
explanation of the methodology and inherent limitations. This volume
conveys where proteomic methodology is in its application to CNS
research and what results can be expected. We also address clinical
translation of neuroproteomics, specifically in the area of biomarker
research. The inception of neuroproteomics capitalized on rapid progress
in large-molecule mass spectrometry over the last decade. Two seminal
advances have spurred research - development of reliable polypeptide
ionization processes and bioinformatics to rapidly process tandem mass
spectra for peptide identification and quantification. What has followed
is the exponential application of mass spectrometry to proteome
characteri- tion across biological and biomedical disciplines. Arguably,
the most elaborate proteomic implementation is in studying the CNS, the
most enigmatic and complex animal system. Neuroscience is characterized
by grandiose questions - what is consciousness, how does thought or
memory work. Neuroproteomics researchers, however, have pri- rily
involved themselves dysfunction, based on a pressing need (and
invariably funding), in answering questions on CNS dysfunction, based on
a pressing need (and invariably funding), and because such questions
hold more accessible answers. Dysfunction is readily contrasted against
normal function and presumably produces a lasting differential protein
signature.
