What does proteomics mean?
Proteomics is the systematic study of proteins, the molecules that perform much of the work inside cells and organisms. It examines not only what proteins are present, but also their structures, abundances, activities, interactions, and chemical modifications. Unlike genomics, which focuses on DNA and genetic sequences, proteomics can reveal the functional state of a cell at a particular moment. A typical proteomics study may use mass spectrometry and related laboratory techniques to analyze many proteins at once. The field is important in biological research, medicine, and biotechnology, including drug development and the search for disease biomarkers. The word is also associated with approaches such as quantitative proteomics, which measures changes in protein abundance under defined conditions. Although it may be used broadly for the study of individual proteins, it most often refers to large-scale analysis of entire proteomes.
nounThe study of proteins, including their structures, functions, interactions, modifications, and abundance within cells or organisms. Proteomics uses large-scale analytical methods to characterize the complete protein complement of a cell, tissue, or organism.
- The scientific study of proteins and their structures, functions, interactions, modifications, and abundance in cells, tissues, or organisms.
"The researchers used proteomics to identify proteins associated with the disease."
"Quantitative proteomics revealed changes in protein abundance after the treatment."
"The laboratory specializes in clinical proteomics and biomarker discovery."
Usually treated as a singular or mass noun and not pluralized.
"Proteomics is increasingly used to identify biomarkers of disease."
Proteomics turns the study of proteins into a high-resolution map of what is actually happening inside a cell.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of proteomics
Proteomics combines the word protein with the scientific suffix -omics, a pattern used to name fields concerned with the large-scale study of particular classes of biological molecules. The term emerged in the 1990s as molecular biology expanded from studying genes toward systematically characterizing proteins. Protein itself comes through Latin from Greek prōteios, meaning primary or first, reflecting the historical idea that proteins were the primary constituents of living material. Related English terms include proteic and protease.
Related word forms
How proteomics is actually used
This is specialist scientific terminology, normally used in formal research and academic contexts. It is commonly treated as a mass noun or used in the singular rather than pluralized.
Easily confused with proteomics
Proteomics studies proteins and their activities, whereas genomics studies DNA, genes, and genetic information.