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Proteomics progresses human genome project

By Ian Clift
Summer reporter

Scientists in Purdue's School of Science are taking the necessary steps to advance the information gathered in the human genome project into something more applicable.

"At Purdue the main research is to … decode the structure in the various genomes and to see how that information is translated into protein structures," said William Cramer, professor of biological sciences.

Genomics is the mapping of genes in a biological organism. Proteomics, which is the next step, is the mapping of the proteins found in those organisms.

Janet Smith, a professor of biological science who works with Cramer, said, "Genomics tells us what the genes are; proteomics tells us what genes are expressed."

The main practical applications of this type of research would be in fixing genetic disease and in designing drugs for use in both therapy and in targeting agricultural pests, said Smith.

Proteomics tries to figure out which genes are turned on in a particular cell by the presence of particular proteins. "Knowing the genome allows us to ask broader and bigger questions," said Smith.

For example, knowing what proteins are expressed in a pancreas cell and then linking those proteins to their place in the genome allows scientists to understand the function of each gene in relation to that cell.

Alan Friedman, professor of biological sciences, said, "Proteomics will fulfill the promise of the human genome. From this understanding will come increased ability to kill pathogenic invaders, to repair damaged cells and to even 'fine-tune' the activities of a cell to promote more healthy functioning."

Another active area of research is the rapid analysis of small amounts of proteins by mass spectrometry. Spectrometry is the study of wavelengths or indexes of refraction.

Friedman said, "In addition to our continuing work in understanding protein structure, my students have begun to develop technology to rapidly map the surfaces that two (or more) proteins use to interact with each other."

"Nearly all the important functions inside a cell are carried out by proteins, either by themselves of with the aid of other molecules, such as DNA, RNA and membrane lipids," he said.

But some disagree with how funding is used in protein research. Michael Rothman, professor of biological sciences, said, like genomics, the technology would find a lot of information fast, but without the need for professionals who understand the principals behind it.

"It’s a dishonest way of funding things," he said. "You get a lot of information, but it's done by accredited technicians, (instead of) scientists who are interested in how nature works."

The objective of proteomics research is to answer the basic questions of how biological processes work and how they are controlled.

Cramer said, "I think one has to do both kinds of things; to develop the conceptual base as well as the information base."

Grants from several sources of funding are planned or underway.

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