Recent studies by Barzilai et al. indicated that supersized cholesterol carriers (large particles of both HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol) may protect against heart disease and and thus lead to exceptional longevity (J Amer. Med. Association, 290: 2030-2040 (2003). These studies attributed enhanced longevity with specific biological genetic factors. We recently demonstrated the versatility of the surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (SELDI-MS), SELDI ProteinChip MS technology as a rapid method for the identification of HDL-apoA-1, a major anti-inflammatory carrier protein in patients who have diabetic cardiovascular disease, (Dayal and Ertel J Proteome Res 1: 375-380 (2002), (ACS Abstr. 2005, 2006). Using the Weak Cation Exchanger Surface (WCX2) chip and analysis via surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (SELDI-MS), apoA-I and A-II were separated as sharp peaks at 28 and 17 kD and did not overlap with other serum protein peaks.

Present studies will describe a comparative molecular characterization and expression levels of cardiac molecular markers: specifically, high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, HDL apolipoprotein apoA-1 using Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, SELDI-TOF MS ProteinChipArray Technology.

This presentation will also highlight two recent reports namely 1) use of rectangular glass chip microscope slides holding several white dots containing human cell cultures and enzymes mimicking human reactions to test toxic drugs 2) Use of Nanostructured-Initiator Mass Spectrometry (NIMS).

We believe current use of biochips may soon replace laboratory animals routinely needed for drug testing.