Advanced & Next-Gen Proteomics - Head of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, NCI Lab

A principal investigator at a governmental research institution speaks about their current next-generation proteomics use and technology preferences. Their work focuses on immune responses (specifically interferons and cytokines) and metabolic profiles, and how these correlate with the efficacy of cancer therapeutics. Within their two top proteomic use cases— metabolomics and ultra-sensitive ELISA— sensitivity, specificity and bioinformatics support were among the most important considerations. Assay price and workflow complexity are also pain points that exist for current platforms, as is the cost of the instrumentation itself. This stakeholder also values fast turnaround times and the possibility of measuring protein levels in real time to inform therapeutic intervention. Vendor loyalty is additionally cited as an important consideration in platform selection. Looking toward the future, this stakeholder anticipates some RNA NGS applications will be replaced by proteomic analyses, that these analyses will provide more data on post-translational modifications, and that they will increasingly become aptamer-based.

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