Submitted on May 12, 2006
Accepted on May 30, 2006
Proteomics in clinical trials and practice: present uses and future promise
Nilofer S. Azad, Nabila Rasool, Christina M. Annunziata, Lori Minasian, Gordon Whitely, and Elise C. Kohn
Medical Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892
Corresponding Author: azadn{at}mail.nih.gov
The proteome consists of all of the protein products that are derived from an individuals full genetic code. Proteomics bridges the gap between what is encoded in the genome and its translation into proteins. Proteins, rmore than genes, represent the functional output of a cell. Proteomics offers more complexity but potentially more specificity than examining genes alone. The study of proteomics can generally be divided into two categories: 1) the characterization of protein expression and 2) the characterization of protein function. This review details the techniques and possible clinical applications thus far of both expression and functional proteomics.