Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, including their structures, functions, and interactions within a biological system. While genomics studies the genetic code (the blueprint), proteomics studies the proteome (the actual machinery) that carries out cellular functions. It involves techniques like mass spectrometry to identify and quantify thousands of proteins at once.
The term 'proteomics' was coined in 1994 by Marc Wilkins, following the success of 'genomics.' However, the study of proteins dates back much further. The development of soft ionization techniques in mass spectrometry in the 1980s (Nobel Prize 2002) was a crucial technological driver that enabled high-throughput protein analysis.
Proteomics is essential for understanding disease mechanisms, discovering biomarkers for diagnosis (e.g., cancer detection), and developing new drugs. It complements genomics by showing how genes are expressed and modified. The field is expanding with spatial proteomics and single-cell proteomics, allowing for even more detailed cellular mapping.