The dominant technology of modern proteomics is certainly liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
(LC-MS). However, it is safe to say that the primary discussion point in terms of technology in proteomics
has been the mass spectrometry part of this partnership. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the mass
spectrometer and the data generated by it.
However, there has been less focus and emphasis placed on the separations of peptides and proteins
prior to analysis by mass spectrometry in terms of the nano-LC chromatography systems and columns
contributing to proteomics performance. One half of the LC-MS combination has been neglected.
Therefore it seemed to the authors that it was time this imbalance was redressed. The following
handbook has been produced in an attempt to educate and inform on the relevance and significance to
proteomics of liquid chromatography, in particular reversed-phase nano-LC directly coupled to MS.