What does proteomics study?

Proteomics focuses on the large-scale study of proteins, which are essential biomolecules that perform a vast array of functions within living organisms. This field encompasses the analysis of a protein's structure and function, detailing how proteins interact with each other and their roles in different biological processes. By understanding the proteome—the complete set of proteins expressed by a genome—researchers can gain insights into cellular functions, disease mechanisms, and the underlying biology of various systems.

Examining the large-scale aspects of proteomics includes techniques such as mass spectrometry and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, which allow scientists to identify and quantify proteins within a sample, as well as assess their post-translational modifications and interactions. This comprehensive overview provided by proteomics is crucial for various applications, including drug development, biomarker discovery, and personalized medicine.

Other choices mischaracterize the focus of proteomics. The study of interactions between genes pertains more to genomics, while creating new proteins through synthesis relates to protein engineering or molecular biology. The analysis of metabolic pathways is a topic within biochemistry and systems biology rather than proteomics specifically.