A team of researchers at the University of California, San Diego, has developed a new method that uses a combination of lasers and fluorescent dyes to sequence proteins in a matter of minutes. This is a significant breakthrough, as traditional protein sequencing methods can take hours or even days. The new method, called "single-molecule protein sequencing" (SiMS), is also much more accurate than traditional methods.

SiMS uses a laser to excite the fluorescent dyes that are attached to the proteins. The dyes then emit light at different wavelengths, which can be used to identify the amino acid sequence of the protein. The entire process can be automated, which makes it possible to sequence large numbers of proteins quickly and easily.

This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the way that proteins are studied. It could make it possible to quickly identify new proteins, understand how they function, and develop new drugs to target them.