Computer advances allow new methods of protein analysis

Relying on advanced proteomics, researchers at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Melbourne believe that they have developed a new method of computer data analysis that can be used to identify early stage cases of colon cancer in a matter of weeks compared to the months current methods require. Researchers collect protein from patients and analyze them in mass spectrometers and liquid chromatography machines. The sample proteins are compared to a database of 1.5 million known proteins that will provide a biological profile of the patient. Dr Robert Moritz of the Institute said: "This generates vast amounts of data. We have high accuracy measurements of fragments of protein, which we convert into information that biologists can understand."

- here's the article in the Sydney Morning Herald