Genomes and proteomes: Towards a multidimensional view of biology

The third Siena proteomics conference held August 31-September 4, 1998, her alded a change in emphasis from technology development to using proteomics to assist in resolving biological questions. In this review, proteomics is placed in context with other major influences in the way discovery research is conducted in biology. The current status of genomics is examined in its broadest sense, including how such studies may influence the development o f proteomics. It is suggested that we are entering a new phase in biology w here information is no longer limiting and integration of different technol ogies is required to attack the big problems of biology. While much of the focus of funding bodies, both in the public and private sector, is on pract ical outcomes (new drugs, etc.), the new technologies are equally amenable to attacking long-standing fundamental challenges, such as cell division, c ell patterning and morphogenesis.