Intro to Proteomics

Proteomics is the study of proteins mostly their structures and functions. The comparison of proteins from one species to another supports evolution and helps evolutionary scientists receive a better understanding of how closely a species is related. Proteonomics has risen mostly after the completion of the human genome project that took thirteen years, to be able to see the difference between genes and how they are expressed in certain situations. Recently the study of proteins has expanded to include the study of protein functions, interactions, locations, and modifications. It is hypothesized that the noncoding DNA regulates protein production and expression and because at 3 billion base pairs, we are much more complex than say a worm. The HUPO Human Proteome Organization was created specifically for cataloging all human proteins and function.
The term evolution states that organisms derived from simple single celled organisms and adapted individually to their environment. Mutations that were beneficial were passed on creating different species, that express different phenotypic traits. Muscle proteins consist mostly of myostotin and actin but individual species have different proteins for their specific types of movement.
This lab consists of three steps including 1) Denaturing the protein by heat shock as well as a detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate killing the protein tertiary and quaternary structures. The proteins then are put with a buffer and seperated using gel electrophoresis. Depending on the size of the different proteins from the aquatic animals it shall illustrate how closely our specimens are related. A blue tracking dye is added in order to see how far the proteins went.