프로테오믹스(proteomics, 단백질체학이라고도 함)의 잠재적 중요성은 간질환, 심장질환, 몇몇 종류의 암 등의 의학, 생식 독성, 발생 독성, 생체 독성 연구 분야에서도 명백하게 제시되었다. 그러나 단백질을 대상으로 연구하여 유전자 기능을 연구하는 프로테오믹스 연구를 각각의 분야에 접목시키려는 노력은 아직까지 빈약하다. 프로테오믹스는 기능을 갖는 단백질들의 발현을 종합적이고 정량적으로 측정하는 가장 직접적인 수단이고, 질병, 약물투여, 쇼크, 내분

The potential importance of proteomic approaches has been clearly demonstrated in other fields of human medical research, including liver and heart disease and certain forms of cancer. However, reproductive researches have been applied to proteomics poorly. Proteomics can be defined as the systematic analysis of proteins for their identity, quantity, and function. It could increase the predictability of early drug development and identify non-invasive biomarkers of toxicity or efficacy. Proteome analysis is most commonly accomplished by the combination of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis(2DE) and MALDI-TOF(matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) MS(mass spectrometry) or protein chip array and SELDI-TOF(surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization-time of flight) MS. In addition understanding the possessing knowledge of the developing biomarkers used to assess reproductive biology will also be essential components relevant to the topic of reproduction. The continued integration of proteomic and genomic data will have a fundamental impact on our understanding of the normal functioning of cells and organisms and will give insights into complex cellular processes and disease and provides new opportunities for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics. The challenge to researchers in the field of reproduction is to harness this new technology as well as others that are available to a greater extent than at present as they have considerable potential to greatly improve our understanding of the molecular aspects of reproduction both in health and disease.

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