A Case for a Human Immuno-Peptidome Project Consortium

A multidisciplinary group of researchers gathered at the Honggerberg Campus at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, for the first meeting on the Human Immuno-Peptidome Project (https://hupo.org/human-immunopeptidome-project/). The long-term goal of this project is to map the entire repertoire of peptides presented by human leukocyte antigen molecules using mass spectrometry technologies, and make its robust analysis accessible to any immunologist. Here we outline the specific challenges identified toward this goal, and within this framework, describe the structure of a multipronged program aimed at addressing these challenges and implementing solutions at a community-wide level. Pillars of that program are: (1) method and technology development, (2) standardization, (3) effective data sharing, and (4) education. If successful, this community-driven endeavor might provide a roadmap toward new paradigms in immunology.