Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in the light of new developments

•Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) is widely used in proteomics.•2-DE is gaining in popularity.•Numerous analytical and bioinformatics techniques may be coupled to 2-DE.•New standards in proteomics are established by 2-DE.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) has become the most widely used separation tool in proteomic analysis. 2-DE is especially useful in expression proteomics, where comparative analysis of the expression of proteins exposed to environmental factors and those physiologically undisturbed is the essence of research. A comparative analysis of changes in protein expression provides information that may be utilized (e.g., in drug design and biomarker research). Furthermore, the technique of 2-DE is gaining popularity due to the possibility of coupling it with numerous analytical techniques and bioinformatics methods.