Proteomics Tools

The proteome is the entire complement of proteins, including the modifications made to a particular set of proteins, produced by an organism or system. Proteomics, the large scale study of proteins, typically is the next step following genomics in the study of biological systems, and is used in drug discovery, disease treatment research, and proteogenomics , the comparison of multiple species. This large undertaking is complicated by the variation of protein expression over time and by type of cell. In this process, proteins need to be purified and analyzed; tools range from simple electrophoresis systems to complex chromatography/mass spectrophotometry systems. Small laboratory may suffice with spin columns and two dimensional electrophoresis systems, where the first dimension is a separation via charge and the second is via mass. Larger research facilities may employ chromatography systems such as HPLC or gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Important considerations for proteomics tools include the biological system of interest, type of cell and level of protein expression, downstream applications, and size and budget restrictions of the laboratory.