The state of the art in proteomics is the identification and quantitation of large numbers of proteins from an increasing number of samples. In these analyses, to date, proteins have been considered as independent entities. However, this is not how proteins function in the environment of a living cell. Rather, multiple proteins generally assemble in multiprotein complexes that constitute the functional modules of the cell. The project “Proteomics 4D: the proteome in context” builds on this knowledge and technological advances pioneered in our group to develop generic approaches, both at the global and local scale, to reveal protein in their functional context, their assemblies and their modifications. Proteomics data that consider proteins in context promises to more accurately reflect the functional state of the cell and, therefore, be more predictive of the phenotype.
We expect that our work will enable life scientists to integrate orthogonal techniques towards exploring the function of proteins in the context of their cellular functions. Tackling biological questions from a protein module perspective, rather than that of a single protein one, represents a paradigm shift in linking our genetic make-up to disease phenotypes. We are committed to disseminate the acquired knowledge by releasing open source software, publications, communications to conferences and leading workshops and courses. Our efforts will guarantee a wide and effortless access to protein module based approaches to enable further discoveries within the scientific community and the economic sector. We are confident that a context-aware study of the proteome results into a more accurate understanding of disease states and it will significantly advance translational medicine, science as a whole and human health.
