cff-version: 1.2.0
abstract: "Proteins are vital in all biological systems as they constitute the main structural and functional components of cells. Recent advances in mass spectrometry have brought the promise of complete proteomics by helping draft the human proteome. Yet, this commonly used protein sequencing technique has fundamental limitations in sensitivity. Here we propose a method for single-molecule (SM) protein sequencing. A major challenge lies in the fact that proteins are composed of 20 different amino acids, which demands 20 molecular reporters. We computationally demonstrate that it suffices to measure only two types of amino acids to identify proteins and suggest an experimental scheme using SM fluorescence. When achieved, this highly sensitive approach will result in a paradigm shift in proteomics, with major impact in the biological and medical sciences."
authors:
  - family-names: Yao
    given-names: Y. (Yao)
  - family-names: Docter
    given-names: Margreet
    orcid: "https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3863-9657"
  - family-names: Van Ginkel
    given-names: H.G.T.M (Jetty)
  - family-names: de Ridder
    given-names: D. (Dick)
    orcid: "https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4944-4310"
  - family-names: Joo
    given-names: C. (Chirlmin)
    orcid: "https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2803-0335"
title: "Single-molecule protein sequencing through fingerprinting: computational assessment"
keywords:
version: 1
identifiers:
  - type: doi
    value: 10.4121/uuid:08a078fc-9d4c-44d1-88c9-9cb412b83a46
license: 4TU General Terms of Use
date-released: 2018-01-19