Sample acquisition and standardization processes have been started recently.

It is without question that a profound phenotyping of mouse models/patients, a complete characterisation of tissue samples before proteome analysis and a high degree of standardisation are extremely important to obtain reliable results. Thus, two pilot studies were initiated:

1.) Quantitative proteome analysis of normal mice brain for the purpose of:

                1.1) Assessment of the quality of 2D- and non 2D-gel based
                quantitative proteome analysis 

                1.2) Feeding the brain proteome database with reliable data

                1.3) Comparing proteome and transcriptome by performing 
                mRNA profiling

Analysis will include whole dry-ice frozen brain of female C57/Bl6 mice of three different developmental stages of embryonic day 16 (E16), postnatal day 7 (P7) and of 8 weeks, donated by Gert Lubec, Vienna. Precondition: No pooling is allowed and analyses should be done with 5 to 10 different samples of each stage using suitable techniques for quantitative proteome analysis.

2.) Quantitative proteome analysis of human brain from biopsies and autopsies for the purpose of:

                  2.1) Assessment of protein stability in post mortem tissue

                  2.2) Feeding the brain proteome database with reliable data


Albert Becker, Bonn, offered brain tissue from epilepsy surgeries, while post mortem tissues will be available from the Brain-Net Europe through Hans Kretzschmar, Munich.

The studies will begin in January 2004 and will end within a year yielding the first results in early summer 2004.

Pooling of samples is not allowed. Standard protocols for protein extraction from brain tissue for 2D-PAGE will be made available by Joachim Klose und Gert Lubec. To obtain the protocols please click here.

This will be an offer and their application is not obligatory. However, protocols or modification within protocols should be annotated. Data will be publicly accessible on the HBPP website serving as reference data for future analysis. The results of this pilot study will be published with all participating groups and members.

If you would like to participate in the pilot studies please get in contact with Michael.Hamacher@rub.de

In parallel, human brain material will be collected and delivered to interested groups. Brain tissue will be made available from the Brain-Net Europe (Hans Kretzschmar), the German-Austria Brain Bank (Peter Riederer), the Netherlands Brain Bank (Fred van Leeuwen), the Hungarian Brain Bank (Miklós Palkovits) and others. Collection of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples from AD and PD patients will be organised and made available by Jens Wiltfang.