Is label-free LC-MS/MS ready for biomarker discovery?

Abstract

Label-free LC-MS methods are attractive for high-throughput quantitative proteomics, as the sample processing is straightforward and can be scaled to a large number of samples. Label-free methods therefore facilitate biomarker discovery in studies involving dozens of clinical samples. However, despite the increased popularity of label-free workflows, there is a hesitance in the research community to use it in clinical proteomics studies. Therefore, we here discuss pros and cons of label-free LC-MS/MS for biomarker discovery, and delineate the main prerequisites for its successful employment. Furthermore, we cite studies where label-free LC-MS/MS was successfully used to identify novel biomarkers, and foresee an increased acceptance of label-free techniques by the proteomics community in the near future.

Keywords

Label-free; Mass spectrometry

Published in

PROTEOMICS - Clinical Applications
2015, Volume: 9, number: 3-4, pages: 289-294

UKÄ Subject classification

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/prca.201400202

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/90699