Draft Plasma Atlas Maps 179,049 Protein Forms for Biomarker Research
Published in Biology, Journals, Tools.
October 6, 2026
Bruker today highlighted a draft atlas of the human plasma proteome developed by Markus Ralser and colleagues at Charité and collaborating institutions. The underlying bioRxiv preprint was posted on September 28, 2026.
The researchers separated intact plasma proteins into 3,114 fractions by electrical and size-related properties, then analysed digested material using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry. Their atlas reports 5,077 plasma proteins associated with at least 179,049 distinct proteoforms, with 44,083 detected at high confidence.
Proteoforms are different molecular versions of a protein. Their diversity matters because a measurement of total protein abundance can miss changes in the particular forms present. The authors found extensive variation among abundant proteins involved in transport, complement and coagulation, and investigated discrepancies between proteomic measurement platforms.
The resource could support more specific biomarker research, but it is a preliminary atlas rather than a validated diagnostic test. The preprint has not undergone peer review, and disease-specific applications require further studies across individuals and clinical conditions.
Sources: Zuehlke and colleagues, bioRxiv preprint, September 28, 2026; Bruker announcement, October 6, 2026.