Biología molecular y celular proteómica

Abstract

Proteomics is a scientific discipline that, through a global experimental approach, studies the complete set of proteins present in a biological system at a specific time and under defined conditions. The development of this discipline is based on technological advancements for the large-scale separation and analysis of proteins, as well as on bioinformatics and image analysis. Proteins, whose name derives from the Greek word "proteios" (meaning "primary" or "of the first rank"), are the fundamental biological molecules for life. In this sense, the comprehensive study of the proteins, is key to understanding the intricate biological processes and the molecular basis of diseases. Proteomics stands as a highly powerful methodology for molecular analysis and diagnosis, opening new perspectives in the understanding of cellular regulation and integration at multiple levels. Its practical utility in biomedicine is vast, allowing, for example, the identification of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of diseases, the discovery of therapeutic targets for the development of new drugs, and the understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of various pathologies. This book compiles various chapters that explain the fundamentals and the mode of use of the main methodologies applied in proteomics, while also illustrating some of its most outstanding applications in the field of biomedical research and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools.