proteomics

== =Proteomics=


 * __What is Proteomics?__**
 * Proteomics: The study of **proteins**, especially their structures and functions in the body
 * It involves identifying millions of different proteins and determining what their significance or role in the human body

__**What is a Protein?**__


 * A large organic molecule made out of a combination of 20 **amino acids**
 * Usually a protein contains anywhere from 50 to hundreds of thousands of amino acids
 * These **amino acids** are linked one after another forming a long chain that later on take a 3D form
 * Each **amino acid** has its own unique **mass**
 * Proteins make up 12%-18% of the human body and do many crucial jobs. These include:
 * Forming the structure or frame of tissues, bones, or ligaments
 * Carry oxygen through the body
 * Work as enzymes in the body
 * Move muscles
 * Make up a portion of the immune system (antibodies)

__**Why is Proteomics Important?**__
 * It can be used to diagnose and treat certain types of cancer
 * This is done by identifying certain types of proteins or patterns of proteins in blood or tissue that can be used to detect cancer before it spreads
 * Early detection will help to increase the chances of survival for a cancer patient
 * Researchers are mainly concentrating on ovarian and prostate cancer which is hard to diagnose early

__**How are Proteomes Identified?**__

[|This INTERACTIVE helps to visualize the process.]
 * 1) Preparation
 * 2) Obtain a Cell
 * 3) Grow Cells in Mass Numbers
 * 4) Collect Cells into Test Tube
 * 5) Add a Buffer Solution
 * 6) Add Detergent to Separate Proteins from Cell
 * 7) Separation
 * 8) Separate Proteins by using [|Gel Electrophoresis]
 * 9) Cut out Proteins from Gel
 * 10) Ionization
 * 11) Add **Restriction Enzymes** which cut the Proteins into small chains called **Peptides**
 * 12) Add Solution which will Dissolve Peptides to help with transfers
 * 13) Peptides are then positively charged and slowly attracted through a cone into a negatively charged mass spectrometer
 * //A mass spectrometer is a tool that can measure the mass of extremely small particles//
 * 1) Mass Spectrometry
 * 2) Peptides enter a tube with voltage
 * 3) Specific Peptides respond to the voltage and pass through the tube
 * 4) Peptides enter another tube filled with inert gases (Nitrogen, Argon, etc)
 * 5) Peptides crash into gases and split into smaller fragments
 * 6) The Peptides then enter another chamber which measures the mass of the proteins
 * 7) Analyzing
 * 8) The Information of the Mass Spectrometer is sent to a computer which creates a Chart
 * 9) The computer then uses this information to determine the chain of Amino Acids in the Protein based on their Mass

__**What Ethical Issue Exist?**__
 * Some people think that if proteomics is used to identify early cancer, insurance companies might refuse to pay for expensive treatment
 * Also, if proteins commonly found in cancer cells are found in your body, potential employers may refuse to hire you.
 * If you develop cancer on the job, the employer wouldn't want to pay your medical bills or compensation.
 * A healthy employee is better then a sick one.

__**What are the Problems of Proteomics?**__
 * Proteomics is an extremely complicated process
 * Proteins differ between individuals, cell types, and even in the same types of cells depending on cell activity, or disease
 * There are between one to ten million different proteins in the human body
 * Proteins make up 12%-18% on the human body
 * Each protein is usually made of hundreds of thousands of amino acids
 * Few of these proteins have been identified