PROTEOMICS - FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Proteomics started with the development of methods for the purification of proteins. Initially, it involved the purification of one protein at a time mostly by column chromatography. Electrofocusing of proteins was a major development in protein purification, which led into development two-dimensional (2D) gel. Two-dimensional gel resulted in the purification of many proteins on one gel for subsequent characterization. The development of mass spectrometry, genomics, and bioinformatics brought a revolution in proteomics. Now, several proteins can be analyzed simultaneously. 

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Recent developments in instrument design have led to lower limits of detection, while new ion activation techniques and improved understanding of gas-phase ion chemistry have enhanced the capabilities of tandem mass spectrometry for peptide and protein structure elucidation. Future developments must address the understanding of protein-protein interactions and the characterization of the dynamic proteome (Chalmers and Gaskell 2000). 

As indicated in Chapter 15, the development of genomics and proteomics will undoubtedly provide further information of the differential experessions of enzymes in diseased and normal tissues. This will allow the future development of prodrug-based chemical delivery systems to target specific cell types through the use of the upregulated enzymes in diseased tissues to release the active drag. 

An impressive one-pot six-step enzymatic synthesis of riboflavine from glucose on the laboratory scale has been reported with an overall yield of 35-50%. Six different enzymes are involved in the various synthesis steps, while two other enzymes take care for the in situ cofactor regenerations [12]. This example again shows that many more multi-enzyme cascade conversions will be developed in the near future, as a much greater variety of enzymes in sufficient amounts for organic synthetic purposes will become available through rapid developments in genomics and proteomics. 

What can be expected from the future The cultivation of isolated hematopoietic cells will benefit from the identification of new cytokines, making the use of stromal-conditioned medium unnecessary. The recent development of proteomics techniques will expediate this process. The prospects of the co-cultivation will depend on the development of human stromal cell lines supporting the expansion of early progenitor cells, and the membrane approach has to prove its potential on a clinical scale. 

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