The Molecular Scanner Approach

Well known high throughput approaches combine two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) with PMF analysis [136, 137]. Although automation is often possible, a number of limitations still adversely affect the rate of protein identification and annotation in 2-DE databases  

The sequential excision process of pieces of gel containing protein the enzymatic digestion step. 

Methods involving high resolution protein separation, paralleled sample preparation, automation of experimental processes and of database comparison, as well as powerful and specific visualisation tools need to be developed and integrated [138, 3]. 

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In combination with a MALDI-TOF/TOF spectrometer [190] the molecular scanner approach could be used to identify proteins with peptide fragmentation data. We believe that this is a very promising approach for future development. 

Figure 8.8. Descriptive scheme of the molecular scanner approach in imaging mass spectrometry. Reprinted from reference 35 with permission from Elsevier (See color insert).

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