AACC Launches Proteomics Division
AACC is pleased to announce the launch of its new Proteomics Division. The term “proteomics” refers to analysis of the complete pattern of protein expression in an organism, tissue, cell type, or organelle. Clinical proteomics, the focus of AACC’s Proteomics Division, applies the analysis of protein expression to medical diagnostics and patient health. A number of new methods—including mass spectrometry, simultaneous analysis of multiple proteins by two-dimensional electrophoresis, protein arrays, and multidimensional chromatography—have shown exciting promise in the discovery of new disease markers that may add rapidly to our traditional menu of tests.
“The challenge is to try to translate marker discovery in the research laboratory into practical tests in the clinical laboratory,” said Glen L. Hortin, MD, PhD, Division Chair. “Analysis of proteins and the diagnostic application of these analyses for many years have been important components of the field of clinical chemistry. What has changed is the addition of a powerful set of new tools that enables more detailed structural analysis of proteins and simultaneous analysis of multiple proteins rather than one protein at a time.”
AACC’s Proteomics Division will develop conference programming and informative sessions to help laboratory professionals understand the significance of new tools and fulfill their educational needs in this field. In addition, the division will seek to establish communications with medical professionals outside the laboratory community—including physicians, researchers, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies—to further promote the effective use of proteomics-based tools in medical care.
“I would like to acknowledge the enthusiastic support of the many AACC members, staff, and leadership who contributed to the formation of the new division,” said Hortin, “and I would also encourage any AACC member with an interest in analysis of proteins to join the new division. Our success depends on broad-based participation.”
AACC’s inaugural proteomics conference, “Proteomics: A New Diagnostic Frontier.” will be held October 23–24, 2005, in Washington, DC. To learn more about the conference or AACC’s Proteomics Division, please contact Cameron Nyhen at AACC. To view a listing of officers and the first issue of the Proteomics Division Newsletter go to the Proteomics Division Web site, http://www.aacc.org/divisions/proteomics/default.stm
The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) provides national and worldwide leadership in advancing the practice and profession of clinical laboratory medicine and its role in improving health care. Its members develop and perform tests conducted in hospital laboratories, clinics, medical centers and other health care settings.
