PROTEOMICS

Proteomics is the study of the expression of genetic information at the protein level (proteome). It also deals with assessment of 3D structure of proteins and their interactions.

Though the RNA/cDNA microarray chips help in the study of expression levels of transcripts, it is necessary to understand that:

• Not all mRNAs will be translated into the protein.
• The level of transcription of specific protein-coding RNA may not always correspond to the level of expression and further to the activity of the coded protein due to many factors (mRNA, RNA splicing, post-translational protein modifications, etc.).

This necessitates the development of the branch of bioinformatics called proteomics, which involves the study of the protein complement of a genome (proteome).