Looking for Thom's biomarkers with proteomics.

In recent years, large numbers of putative disease biomarkers have been identified. Combinations of protein biomarkers have been proposed to overcome the lack of single, magic-bullet identifiers of disease conditions. The number of biomarkers in a panel must be kept small to avoid the combinatorial explosion that requires very large, uneconomical sample cohorts for validation.

High-sensitivity blood-based detection of breast cancer by multi photon detection diagnostic proteomics.

We have developed several new methods for blood-based cancer detection by diagnostic proteomics. Ultrasensitive methods of immunoassay using multiphoton-detection (IA/MPD) increase sensitivity by 200- to 1,000-fold (1 femtogram/mL). This has allowed the measurement of cancer biomarkers with very low concentrations in blood that could not be measured for full patient cohorts with conventional immunoassays.

Ultra-sensitive immunoassays using multi-photon-detection in diagnostic proteomics of blood.

Multiphoton-detection methods that detect as little as 1000 atoms of (125)I-streptavidin increase the sensitivity of immunoassays by 200- to 1000-fold (1 femtogram/mL). Improved background suppression allows 20- to 100-fold improvements in sensitivity for conventional immunoassays (10-50 femtogram/mL). Quantitation of low abundance biomarkers in blood (PSA, TNFalpha, VEGF, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8), for the first time for complete patient cohorts, indicates that very high analytical sensitivity and new statistical methods are crucial for serum-based diagnostic proteomics.

Ultra-high sensitivity multi-photon detection imaging in proteomics analyses.

We report on the use of 125I and 131I labeling and of new, multicolor, multi-photon detection (MPD) methods to routinely and quantitatively detect protein spots on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis plates in the zeptomole to attomole range. We demonstrate that the MPD methodology can be used to detect radioactive labels on two-dimensional gels and has several characteristics that are advantageous for functional proteomics. First, by using single particle detectors, the sensitivity for detection of radiolabels can be improved dramatically.

Perspectives in spicing up proteomics with splicing.

In the post-genomics era there has been an acceleration of understanding of cellular and organismal biology and this acceleration has moved the goalposts for proteomics. Higher eukaryotes use alternative promoters, alternative splicing, RNA editing and post-translational modification to produce multiple isoforms of proteins from single genes. Switching amongst these isoforms is a major mechanism for control of cellular function.

PNA openers as a tool for direct quantification of specific targets in duplex DNA.

We report a new approach for target quantification directly within DNA duplex. Our assay is based on the formation of a new biomolecular structure, the PD-loop. The approach takes advantage of a selective hybridization of a probe to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), which is locally opened by a pair of bis-PNA oligomers.

The use of CT in monitoring cryosurgery.

One of the main problems encountered in cryosurgery is that of controlling the amount of tissue that is irreversibly destroyed by cooling. In vitro-experiments in which the homogeneous cooling of various substances, as well as "ice-ball" propagation within different tissues of animals via a cryotip were evaluated. In vivo experiments, on an anaesthetized pig, indicate CT to be a useful continuous-monitoring technique with a high spatial resolution.

Contrast in computerized transverse axial tomography of brain.

A study of contrast in photon transmission tomography of brain is presented. Quantitative evaluation of linear attenuation coefficients due to photo-electric, Compton and pair creation effects suggests that the use of photons of a few MeV considerably improves the contrast between white and grey brain matter. The patient dose at different photon energies is calculated.