title: Proteomics-based expression library screening - a platform technology for rapid discovery of pathogen-specific markers of infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The development of new management modalities is imperative for reducing the global burden of infectious diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a platform technology for rapid definition of comprehensive pathogen immunoproteomes (the repertoire of microbial proteins that elicit and interact with host immune responses).
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard molecular biology techniques were coupled with cutting-edge proteomics to develop proteomics-based expression library screening (PELS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Proof of principle of PELS was demonstrated by defining a comprehensive immunoproteome of the human gastrointestinal pathogen, Escherichia coli O157:H7, in bovine reservoirs in just 3 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PELS, an immunoproteomics-based platform technology, is a rapid and inexpensive alternative to protein/antigen arrays/chips. It is applicable to any parasitic, fungal, viral or bacterial pathogen (or commensal) that: has a sequenced genome; can be cultured in the laboratory; and elicits host humoral immune responses during the process of infection/disease.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02114, USA +1 781 244 4505 ; micronome@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Indira T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Kudva
authors.forename: Stephen B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Calderwood
authors.forename: Manohar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: John