Advances in proteome analysis by mass spectrometry

Proteome characterization using mass spectrometry is essential for the syst ematic investigation of biological systems and for the study of gene functi on. Recent advances in this multifaceted field have occurred in four genera l areas: protein and peptide separation methodologies; selective labeling c hemistries for quantitative measurement of peptide and protein abundances; characterization of post-translational protein modifications; and instrumen tation.