Summarizing Genomics and Proteomics

Summary

Proteomics is the study of the entire set of proteins expressed by a given type of cell under certain environmental conditions. In a multicellular organism, different cell types will have different proteomes, and these will vary with changes in the environment. Unlike a genome, a proteome is dynamic and in constant flux, which makes it both more complicated and more useful than the knowledge of genomes alone.

Proteomics approaches rely on protein analysis; these techniques are constantly being upgraded. Proteomics has been used to study different types of cancer. Different biomarkers and protein signatures are being used to analyze each type of cancer. The future goal is to have a personalized treatment plan for each individual.

Glossary

biomarker

individual protein that is uniquely produced in a diseased state

false negative

incorrect test result that should have been positive

metabolome

complete set of metabolites which are related to the genetic makeup of an organism

metabolomics

study of small molecule metabolites found in an organism

protein signature

set of uniquely expressed proteins in the diseased state

proteome

entire set of proteins produced by a cell type

proteomics

study of the function of proteomes

systems biology

study of whole biological systems (genomes and proteomes) based on interactions within the system