Gaining an edge in cystic fibrosis research
The EC-funded EUROPROCF project addressed the need for advanced proteomics techniques in order to improve available research methodologies into CF. It is known that the impaired protein involved in CF is at the crossroads of a number of key pathways, which goes a long way to explain the severe nature of the disease in certain patients. EUROPROCF project partners aimed to further develop the research tools available to the scientific community involved in CF research, especially in the field of proteomics. The Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences developed software for the detailed analysis of 2D gel electrophoresis. The software, which is run on the Microsoft Windows operating platform, includes a number of innovative features providing key analytical insights. One of these features is the ability to compare between two different gels and an integral post-translational-modifications database, which allows for easier identification and on-the-spot comparisons. Further research into this area is likely to reveal key observations into the protein interactions in CF patients.
