The Fixing Proteomics Campaign
Why was Fixing Proteomics started?
Proteomics is an exciting field to be in. If you're involved in it already then you know that, but it's vital to be aware there are criticisms of the science. In many cases there is a growing sense of frustration that proteomics hasn't delivered on its promise. You may know from personal experience funding has slowed down for many proteomics projects and there is insecurity about the future. People have turned to the latest, greatest technologies for a solution, but the challenges don't go away; they just become different and often increase.
Fixing Proteomics was created to tackle these unfair perceptions, show what proteomics can do and, most importantly, offer a practical solution. We don't have all of the answers but we can see how to make a real impact.
What is Fixing Proteomics about?
The reality, and the message we want to share, is that proteomics has delivered and can continue to make a huge impact on our understanding of biology and generating new drugs. But we need to do more to help proteomics.
Fixing Proteomics is a non-commercial, technique-independent campaign about rigour and experiment design. It's about creating a change in people's mindsets to make what we are doing more effective and really make a difference. For example the ability to reproduce experiments across labs is crucial so every scientist can build upon the work of others. However, because proteomics techniques are so complex it's impossible to do this unless reproducibility is built into your experiment design from the start. Adopting our 4-steps to Fixing Proteomics means you can design experiments that can be replicated across-labs as a matter of course. We can already demonstrate across-lab reproducibility using 2D gels with the HUPO Reproducibility Study.
"But I use Mass Spectrometry for differential protein expression analysis"
The challenges of fixing proteomics apply to every technique. It's a bigger challenge than many people realise but we are actively recruiting people and repeat the same reproducibility study using MS. Click here to sign up and be a part of it.
Who is involved with Fixing Proteomics?
The current founders are listed on the website and include researchers from industry, academia and even vendor companies. This demonstrates that the issues facing proteomics today affect everyone and can be solved together. This is only going to happen if EVERYONE passionate about proteomics acts now. So we would very much welcome your support, feedback and hopefully you'll be willing to join the current founders and contribute.
Where can I go to find out more and provide support and feedback?
Fixing Proteomics is based around this website. It brings together information about the challenges facing proteomics, what we can practically do about it and what the current thinking is. Highlights include;
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Simple Analogies. Using rabbits, cows, children and kettles to help you easily understand and remember the challenges of running proteomics experiments. |
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Practical Advice. This includes a simple 4-step approach to Fixing Proteomics and protocols proven to make your proteomics experiments reproducible across-labs. |
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Publications. You can read current papers, posters and articles covering topics that help Fixing Proteomics. |
You can also provide feedback, suggest contributions and most importantly we've made it easy to pass the website on to anyone you think would benefit from it, so have a look and enjoy!
