Microwave‐assisted proteomics

State‐of‐the‐art proteomic analysis has recently undergone a rapid evolution; with more high‐throughput analytical instrumentation and informatic tools available, sample preparation is becoming one of the rate‐limiting steps in protein characterization workflows. Recently several protocols have appeared in the literature that employ microwave irradiation as a tool for the preparation of biological samples for subsequent mass spectrometric characterization. Techniques for microwave‐assisted bio‐catalyzed reactions (including sample reduction and alkylation, enzymatic and chemical digestion, removal and analysis of post‐translational modifications and characterization of enzymes and protein‐interaction sites) are described. This review summarizes the various approaches undertaken, instrumentation employed, and reduction in overall experimental time observed when microwave assistance is applied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 26:657–671, 2007