While genomics is moving forward in leaps and bounds and more and more of DNA sequence information becomes available, the proteome (the entire set of proteins) is still somewhat of a mystery. But only the knowledge of these proteins, their structure, characteristics and function will really enable the complete understandingof biological systems.

Thus, the increasing importance of protein preparation, separation, visualization and characterization is obvious.

Because protein separation is mostly achieved by 2-D electrophoresis, HPLC or capillary electrophoresis, its characterization mainly involves:

• Amino Acid Analysis
• Crystallization and X-ray Analysis
• Mass Spectroscopy (especially MALDI)
• Protein or Peptide Sequencing by Edman Degradation