metal-coded affinity tag

MeCAT is a proteomics quantification technology using metal coded tags (lanthanides) for marking biomolecules without the necessity of isotopic labeling. After that they are analysed with state-of-the-art mass spectrometric methods including ICP-MS with its extraordinary advantages in quantification.
ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) allows an ultra sensitive (absolute) quantification of the metals (lanthanides) tagged to proteins on protein level. Thus the protein amount can be accurately determinated down to low attomol range which is at least 2 to 3 orders of magnitude more sensitive than other mass spec (peptide based) techniques.