Cross-linking/mass spectrometry as a new field and the proteomics information mountain of tomorrow.

The European Proteomics Association (EuPA) 2012 Scientific Congress 'New Horizons and Applications for Proteomics', hosted by the British Society for Proteome Research (BSPR) Glasgow, Scotland, UK, 12 July 2012 Cross-linking/mass spectrometry ended decades of method developments and entered the era of applications at this year's European Proteomics Association meeting. The train has started moving, with successful applications of this tool by multiple pioneering laboratories addressing biological and structural problems. Proteomics, on the other side, sees ever increasing data volumes, leading to questions as to how to store the data mountain publically, use it and convert it into testable hypotheses. The European Proteomics Association meeting has been complementary to the American Society for Mass Spectrometry meeting in many ways, also thanks to its more manageable size and the vision of the organizers in inviting some of Europe's best emerging minds.