Daniel Petras

Meet Daniel Petras

Predictions? I assume mass spectrometry and metabolomics will be further standardized and will be mainly performed as a service measurement in core facilities – similar to sequencing today. Non-targeted analysis will thereby largely replace targeted assays. I assume we will reach annotation rates akin to proteomics/genomics experiments once in silico prediction of MS/MS spectra and retention/drift times are solved. I am waiting for the “AlphaFold moment” here.

Fears? My biggest fears for the analytical sciences is the continued division of different sub fields in their silos and the blocking of technological and conceptual progress by sticking to established dogmas. In a sense I’m not too worried because, if this happens, analytical science will be simply swallowed or replaced by other fields that embrace the culture of change and adapt to roadblocks and new opportunities.

Dream dinner party? Albert Einstein, Rosalinde Franklin, Kary Mullis, and Timothy Leary.