Proteomics, Genomics & Bioinformatics

Proteomics

Proteomics

Proteomics is the study of proteomes on a vast scale. A proteome is a collection of proteins made by a living creature, system, or biological milieu. We can talk about a species' proteome (for example, Homo sapiens) or an organ's proteome (for example, the liver). The proteome is dynamic, varying from cell to cell and changing throughout time. The proteome reflects the underlying transcriptome to some extent. However, in addition to the expression level of the relevant gene, many other factors influence protein activity (which is generally measured by the response rate of the processes in which the protein is engaged).

Proteomics is used to investigate:

• when and where proteins are expressed
• protein synthesis, degradation, and steady-state abundance rates
• how proteins are modified (for example, phosphorylation and other post-translational modifications (PTMs))
• protein transport between subcellular compartments
• proteins' involvement in metabolic pathways
• what happens when proteins come into contact with one another