Sir

The report on proteomics (Nature 402, 715; 1999) was an excellent summary of current attempts to build on knowledge of the genomes. I would point out, however, that 2D gel electrophoresis is no longer “notoriously difficult to carry out”. My undergraduates routinely perform 2D gels, often getting ten good gels on the first try. Also, while hydrophobic proteins present a challenge, some of them can indeed be obtained on gels using SDS/urea treatment of the sample; this process is compatible with current gel technology.