Description

Overview As protein arrays have become increasingly consistent and reliable, more scientists have recently begun to incorporate them into their proteomics experiments. Researchers are attracted by the technology's ability to detect protein expression more quickly and easily than traditional approaches such as 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. By allowing scientists to look at multiple protein interactions simultaneously, the seemingly insurmountable challenge of characterizing an organism's entire collection of proteins (i.e., proteome) is within reach. While there is tremendous excitement about the potential of protein arrays to further our understanding about protein expression, function and structure on a microscopically global level, there is also hesitancy on behalf of many scientists to adopt a technology that is often still perceived as unstable and irreproducible. This report, Protein Microarrays: Technology Adoption & Utilization, provides life science suppliers with actionable insights on how to overcome this stigma and convert proteomics researchers into future customers. In addition to dispelling any lingering misconceptions about the technology's performance, suppliers also face substantive issues related to product development. In particular, these are key decisions about array content. To inform decision makers, this report examines the most critical factors related to array content as specified by both current and future protein microarray users: • Molecular interactions preferred • Applications performed • Protein classes studied • Number of proteins arrayed (i.e., density) • Replicates required • Samples per array analyzed One emerging trend in array content is comprehensive proteome arrays, which represent all the major proteins of a target organism. While in their early stages, these so-called whole proteome arrays will forge high-throughput analysis and comprehensive measurements into a powerful tool for deciphering a plethora of proteins. Despite their promise of omnipotence, the market demand for whole proteome arrays has previously been uncertain. This report assesses scientists' level of interest in this type of array. Additionally, it identifies which collections of proteins would be most desirable to print and how much scientists would be willing to pay for these high-density arrays. Differences in array content translate into performance metrics such as dynamic range, reproducibility and resolution. By analyzing scientists' valuation of these metrics, this report provides suppliers with pricing models to effectively position their protein array technology in the proteomics market. Furthermore, it also examines other key drivers of protein array usage such as company reputation, product support and vendor agreements. While offering concrete measures by which suppliers can enhance their technologies' competitive advantages, Protein Microarrays: Technology Adoption & Utilization, also offers first-hand knowledge on overcoming frustrating technical limitations that currently hamper scientists' investigations and limit the widespread use of protein array technology.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Section 1. Analysis and Interpretation of Survey Results Strategic Overview Executive summary Key findings Competing Technologies Protein microarray adoption rates Nonuser technology profile Market segment technology preferences Value of technology performance Experimental Parameters 1-9 Protein microarray content 1-10 Protein classes 1-11 Protein microarray density 1-12 Whole proteome arrays 1-13 Protein microarray format 1-14 Protein microarray throughput Market Dynamics: Protein Microarrays 1-16 Preferred suppliers of self-print protein microarray reagents and/or instrumentation 1-17 Protein microarray reagents and/or instrumentation performance attributes 1-18 Preferred suppliers of commercial protein microarrays 1-19 Commercial protein microarray performance attributes Market Dynamics: Protein Microarray Readers 1-21 Preferred suppliers of readers 1-22 Performance attributes Obstacles and Opportunities 1-24 Technology improvements Conclusions Section 2. Study Methodology and Demographics 2-1 Methodology 2-5 Definition of terms 2-6 Demographics 2-7 Questionnaire Section 3. Presentation of Survey Data Research Focus 3-1 Primary focus of research 3-3 Primary source of proteins 3-4 Proteomics-based technologies regularly employed 3-5 Current protein array use Future Plans 3-9 Cost per protein for alternate proteomics-based technologies 3-11 Willingness to pay more for wider dynamic range 3-12 Willingness to pay more for increased reproducibility 3-13 Willingness to pay more for increased sensitivity 3-14 Factors that would influence non-users of protein arrays to begin use or begin use sooner Experimental Parameters 3-16 Types of protein interactions studied 3-18 Types of applications for protein microarrays 3-20 Specific protein classes studied 3-22 Primary organism of interest for a whole proteome array 3-24 Proteins printed per array 3-26 How many replicates printed on arrays 3-28 Samples analyzed per array 3-32 Samples analyzed per month 3-33 Expected change in throughput per month 3-35 Microarray cost per protein 3-36 Willingness to pay more for arrays with a two-fold increase in proteins printed per array 3-37 Willingness to pay more for arrays with a ten-fold increase in proteins printed per array 3-38 Willingness to pay more for a whole proteome array 3-39 Most problematic step in protein microarray experiments Protein Microarray Printing 3-40 Use of commercial protein microarrays 3-41 Primary reason for using preferred type of microarrays 3-42 Suppliers of treated surfaces for protein microarrays 3-44 Primary supplier of reagents and instrumentation 3-46 Satisfaction with features of reagents and instrumentation from primary supplier 3-48 Overall satisfaction with reagents and instrumentation from primary supplier 3-49 Primary supplier of protein microarrays 3-51 Satisfaction with features of microarrays from primary supplier 3-53 Overall satisfaction with microarrays from primary supplier 3-54 Supplier factors in protein microarray purchasing decision Protein Microarray Detection 3-55 Primary brand of microarray reader used 3-57 Satisfaction with features of this microarray reader 3-59 Overall satisfaction with this microarray reader 3-60 Supplier factors in microarray reader purchasing decision Future Directions 3-61 Areas of improvement in protein microarray technology Demographics Section 4. Appendices 4-1 Insights and Perspectives 4-10 Cross-Tabulations of Survey Data 4-21 Other Recent Publications 4-23 About BioInformatics 4-24 Our Valued Clients