Using 2D differential gel eletrophoresis and mass spectrometry, a group of researchers from Canada and Germany identified proteins in cattle urine relating to bovine spongiform encephalitis. Analysis of protein expression data from one protein could, the researchers report, identify cases from controls with 100 percent accuracy. A set of proteins could tell when the animal was infected (with 85 percent accuracy). The researchers are hopeful that a live cattle test for BSE will be possible.