Book Review: Reiner Westermeier, Tom Naven, and Hans-Rudolph Höpker, Proteomics in Practice. A Guide to Successful Experimental Design, 2nd editionWiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Company, KGaA, Weinheim, Germany, 2008 ? 89-

Roger L. Lundblad
May, 2008
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

This is a solid book on the technical aspects of proteomic research representing the 2nd edition of a very popular earlier work. The book is divided into two parts; the first part (“Proteomics Technology”) is a discussion of the basis of the various technical “tools” including electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry while the second part (“Practical Manual of Proteomics Technology”) is a collection of laboratory techniques. The first part also contains a section on the use of proteomic technology to study protein-protein interaction. The experimental section id\s confined to electrophoretic analysis and is quite useful. There is an Introduction which describes the development of proteomics as a discipline and the challenges to the successful use of proteomic technologies.

This work is strong on electrophoretic analysis which is not surprising considering that Westermeier and colleagues have been major contributors to the use of this technique in proteomics. This book is somewhat weaker in liquid chromatography but does contain sufficient information to be useful. This book will be a valuable addition to any laboratory engaged in proteomics and is highly recommended.