Bioinformatic considerations are offered to illustrate strengths and limitations of the characterization of Bacillus spores based on proteomic interpretation of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization spectra. In particular, species-specific biomarkers are evaluated in the context of both experimental access and uniqueness in silico.

Keywords: bioinformatics, proteomics, biomarkers, proteins, MALDI, spores, anthrax, Bacillus, species specificity