Invitrogen Corporation and the Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO) have entered a scientific collaboration focused on advancing proteomic research through education initiatives, standardization of research protocols and development of advanced proteomic products.

Under the terms of the collaboration, Invitrogen scientists will support efforts driven by HUPO and its members internationally to develop new proteomic standards, products and processes. Invitrogen will also support a number of global educational programs and resources. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

"Our partnership with HUPO enables our researchers to work closely with thought leaders in the field of proteomics," explained Gregory T. Lucier, Chairman and CEO of Invitrogen Corporation. "By improving education, training and technology development, our organization can provide scientists the ability to better understand critically important areas of research."

By collaborating with leading protein laboratories internationally, Invitrogen and HUPO plan to foster a set of industry standards to enable large scale data generation and analysis, consistent with HUPO's mandate to shape the next phase of disease research and drug discovery. HUPO's Education and Training Initiative offers programs to promote expertise in all areas of proteomics including sample preparation, protein separation, mass spectrometry, bioinformatics and experimental design.

"This is a great opportunity for HUPO and all its members to acquire and set standards that will become applicable world-wide," said Prof. John J.M. Bergeron, President of HUPO. "This standardization effort, which is one of several that HUPO is spear-heading, is a major part of our organization's mission, and will act as a major impetus to the implementation of world-wide proteomic standards."

"The potential for improving the effectiveness of proteomics research is an extremely exciting part of our collaboration with HUPO," concluded Dr Norrie Russell, Chief Scientific Officer for Invitrogen. "By adding our strength in technology development to the many other groups supporting HUPO's initiatives, we feel we can help proteomics realize its full potential in life sciences research."

Invitrogen has already developed a comprehensive technology portfolio for proteomic research. Highlighted by systems such as its ZOOM Benchtop Proteomics fractionation and electrophoresis products, SILAC mass spectrometry reagents and its flagship ProtoArray protein microarray, the company has introduced several innovative platforms as a part of its extensive offerings.