Label-free detection methods for protein microarrays

With the growth of the -omics such as functional genomics and proteomics, one of the foremost challenges in biotechnologies has become the development of novel methods to monitor biological process and acquire the information of biomolecular interactions in a systematic manner. To fully understand the roles of newly discovered genes or proteins, it is necessary to elucidate the functions of these molecules in their interaction network. Microarray technology is becoming the method of choice for such a task. Although protein microarray can provide a high throughput analytical platform for protein profiling and protein-protein interaction, most of the current reports are limited to labeled detection using fluorescence or radioisotope techniques. These limitations deflate the potential of the method and prevent the technology from being adapted in a broader range of proteomics applications. In recent years, label-free analytical approaches have gone through intensified development and have been coupled successfully with protein microarray. In many examples of label-free study, the microarray has not only offered the high throughput detection in real time, but also provided kinetics information as well as in situ identification. This article reviews the most significant label-free detection methods for microarray technology, including surface plasmon resonance imaging, atomic force microscope, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and MS and their applications in proteomics research.