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Peptide Biomarker Identification

A biomarker is a characteristic that can be measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathological processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention. Peptides can serve as ideal biomarkers. Since peptides can migrate between different parts of an organism, many pathogenic processes can be reflected through the characteristics and pathological changes of peptide composition in different body fluids. Changes in peptide abundance associated with various diseases can be detected.

There are two common development models for peptide biomarkers: pattern recognition and single/oligo biomarker detection. The pattern recognition method does not require obtaining identity information of candidate biomarkers and can obtain patient information solely relying on the high specificity and sensitivity of MS. Compared to pattern recognition, single/oligo biomarkers are more useful and reliable as they can validate differences in peptide expression levels from collected biological samples from different sources. Mass spectrometry-based analytical methods can display the concentration of analyte molecules while having very high specificity, determined by the precise macromolecular mass and sequencing capability of mass spectrometry.

Lee, J. E. Genomics & Informatics. 2016.

Identification of Peptide Biomarkers

Screening and validating peptide biomarkers require completing two steps simultaneously: identifying the presence of peptides in the sample (qualitative) and determining their respective concentrations (quantitative). Only the combination of these two can screen candidate peptides. Many analytical techniques are used for biomarker detection. Among them, mass spectrometry combined with liquid chromatography (such as UPLC and nanoLC) can be considered the best analytical platform with high resolution, high sensitivity, high throughput, and quantitative functionality.

Biotech company BGI uses Thermo Fisher's Orbitrap Fusion Lumos mass spectrometry platform combined with nanoLC-MS/MS nano-liquid chromatography to provide peptide biomarker identification services.