Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40371775›Full record

ArticleProtein science : a publication of the Protein Society2025

Enhanced protein extraction and quantification protocol for microsamples: An ultra-sensitive workflow for low-volume, low-concentration total protein lysates.

Taylor Wilcox, Michael E Widlansky, Justin Westhoff, Jingli Wang, Rong Ying, Abigail Thorgerson, Michelle L Roberts

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Taylor WilcoxCardiovascular Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Michael E WidlanskyCardiovascular Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Justin WesthoffCardiovascular Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Jingli WangCardiovascular Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Rong YingCardiovascular Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Abigail ThorgersonCenter for Advancing Population Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Michelle L RobertsCardiovascular Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-8920-930X

Funding

Training in Signature Transdisciplinary Cardiovascular SciencesT32HL134643 · NHLBI · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · PI Justin L Grobe, Jacquelyn P Kulinski · 2017 to 2026
$4.2M
Impact of L. plantarum 299v Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Systemic InflammationR01HL144098 · NHLBI · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · PI WIDLANSKY, MICHAEL E · 2019 to 2022
$2.9M
Institutional Career Development CoreKL2TR001438 · NCATS · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · PI WIDLANSKY, MICHAEL E · 2015 to 2024
$2.9M
Human Coronary Artery Plaque Transcriptomes and Cardiovascular Risk AssessmentR01HL173778 · NHLBI · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · PI MINGYU LIANG, Michael E Widlansky · 2024 to 2026
$2.0M
Medical College of Wisconsin Physician Scientist Immersion ProgramR38HL167238 · NHLBI · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · PI MARY EAPEN, Michael E Widlansky · 2023 to 2026
$948k
Impact of L. plantarum 299v supplementation on endothelial function and inflammation in humans with type 2 diabetesK24HL152143 · NHLBI · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · PI WIDLANSKY, MICHAEL E · 2021 to 2025
$572k
American Heart Association AHA1360839American Heart Association AHA9639591NCATS NIH HHS KL2 TR001438NCATS NIH HHS KL2TR001438NHLBI NIH HHS HL144098NHLBI NIH HHS HL173778NHLBI NIH HHS K24 HL152143NHLBI NIH HHS K24HL152143NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL144098NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL173778NHLBI NIH HHS R38 HL167238NHLBI NIH HHS R38HL167238NHLBI NIH HHS T32 HL134643NHLBI NIH HHS T32HL134643
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Accurate protein quantification at low concentrations and small volumes is critical for advancing small-scale research, such as microvasculature studies. However, existing microscale protocols often require ≥5 μL of sample or highly concentrated lysates, limiting their applicability in contexts with scarce material. To overcome these limitations, we developed the Nano-Extraction BCA-Optimized Workflow (NEBOW), a novel method requiring only 2 μL of sample and capable of detecting protein concentrations as low as 0.01 mg/mL. Optimized for the NanoDrop™ One UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, this workflow demonstrated significantly enhanced sensitivity and reproducibility compared to the standard BCA assay. Paired t tests (p < 0.01) and TOST equivalence testing (15% margin) confirmed key differences, with the NEBOW method producing steeper standard curves and more consistent results at low concentrations. Bland-Altman analysis showed that standard BCA tends to overestimate protein levels, while the NEBOW method maintained accuracy across a range of low-input samples. Western blot validation supported the improved performance of the new workflow. This approach offers a reliable, cost-effective solution for protein quantification when sample availability is limited, without sacrificing accuracy or sample integrity.

Indexed as

ProteinsHumansReproducibility of ResultsWorkflowProteinscolorimetric assaylow‐concentration proteinnano‐scale protein extractionprotein lysate quantificationsmall volume proteinspectrophotometerstatistical analyses

Identifiers

PMID40371775
PMCPMC12079461

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.