Proteomics, Biochip and Forensic Technologies

Proteomics, Biochip and Forensic Technologies: In the post-genomic era, proteomics is a new field of study that involves determining the structures and functions of all proteins in a proteome. It’s also referred to as structural-based functional genomics. Affymetrix, a corporation based in the United States, invented the first biochip, which is known as GeneChip (DNA microarrays). These items are made up of a variety of separate DNA sensors that are used to detect abnormalities. In criminal investigations, forensic analysis of biological evidence using biotechnology approaches is becoming increasingly significant. Traditional forensic approaches include the study of proteins in the blood (serology), other bodily fluids, and body tissues. In this article, we will learn about proteomics, biochip, and forensic technologies in detail.

Meaning of Proteomics

Proteomics was coined in the mid-1990s, following the breakthrough of genomics. Proteomics refers to databases of protein sequences, predicted protein structures, and, more recently, databases of protein expression analysis from the perspective of bioinformatics. The link between structure and function became easier to predict as more protein structures were discovered.

1. Furthermore, protein structure databases and tools make identifying common protein structures and their expected functions easier.
2. Individually isolated ligands such as proteins, peptides, antibodies, antigens, and carbohydrates are spotted onto a derivatised surface in this approach, which is commonly used for protein profiling and assessing protein expression levels.
3. The function of the genome can be studied both at the transcription and translation levels. The proteome is a term that refers to an organism’s full collection of proteins. Proteomics, then, is the study of an organism’s proteome or the range of proteins it may make.
4. Because there isn’t always a direct correlation between mRNA and the pool of cellular proteins, proteomics can reveal information about genome function that mRNA studies can’t. Functional proteomics is a term used to describe a lot of the research done in this field.
5. Its goal is to determine what distinct biological proteins do, how they interact with one another, and how they’re regulated.

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Types of Proteomics

i. Structural Proteomics: The mapping of the structure of protein complexes or proteins present in a certain cellular organelle, known as cell map or structural proteins, is one of the main goals of proteomics research. Structural proteomics aims to characterise all protein-protein interactions and identify all proteins inside a protein complex. Purification of a specific protein complex can make proteomic analysis easier.
ii. Functional Proteomics: Isolation of protein complexes or the use of protein ligands to isolate specific types of proteins are two examples. It enables the study of specific groups of proteins and their features, which can provide valuable information regarding protein signalling and disease mechanisms, among other things.

Methods of Analysis

1. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis
2. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)

Applications of Proteomics

1. Thousands of proteins can be resolved using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis; each protein is viewed as a spot of changing intensity, depending on its biological abundance.
2. Radiolabeled proteins are frequently used to increase sensitivity and differentiate newly produced proteins.
3. To compare two-dimensional gels from microorganisms grown under different conditions or to compare wild-type and mutant strains, computer analysis is performed. For the storage of such photos, websites have been created, giving academics access to ever-growing databases.

Significance of Proteomics

i. Bioinformatics has been widely used in protein profiling, which is concerned with obtaining structural information on proteins for the purposes of protein identification, characterisation, and database.
ii. Protein microarrays make protein-protein interaction identification and protein expression profiling easier.
iii. Proteomics studies are more beneficial because proteins are the functional molecules in cells and represent actual conditions.
iv. The study of the entire set of proteins produced by a cell type is done in order to understand its structure and function.

What is a Biochip?

A biochip is a collection of reduced microarrays mounted on a sturdy substrate that allows multiple experiments to be run at the same time for higher throughput in less time. There are millions of sensor elements or biosensors in this device. These are not electronic devices, unlike microchips. Every biochip can be thought of as a microreactor capable of detecting a specific analyte such as an enzyme, protein, DNA, biological molecule, or antibody. The chip’s main purpose is to perform hundreds of biological operations in a matter of seconds, such as decoding genes (a sequence of DNA).

Biochips Applications

Biochips can be used for the following purposes.

1. The biochip can be used as a blood pressure sensor, glucose detector, and oxygen sensor in the medical area.
2. Biochips are used to identify the movement of proteins between subcellular compartments.
3. Identification of the involvement of proteins in metabolic pathways.
4. Investigations of plant-pathogen interactions, crop engineering for increased resilience to, e.g., flooding, drought and other environmental stresses.
5. The biochip can be used in the early detection of colon cancer.
6. Investigations of how mammals’ immune systems may respond to exo-microbes found in space and studies of the prebiotic organic matter found on meteorites.
7. The study of ancient proteins to further our understanding of evolution and archeology.
8. Protein biochips/microarrays are well-established tools for research and some products for in vitro diagnostics and offer the possibility of developing a rapid global analysis of the entire proteome leading to protein-based diagnostics and therapeutics.
9. Protein microarrays help in personalised medicine. They are reliable tools for the detection of multiple biomarkers with only a minimal quantity of samples.
10. Biochips can be used for rapid detection of microbes, be it for monitoring microbial load in wastewaters or for detection of pathogens in the food industry.

Forensic Biotechnology

Forensic science is a crucial tool for the detection or investigation of crime and the administration of justice by offering crucial information about the evidence found at the crime scene. Forensic biotechnology is a field of medicine where new discoveries are made on a regular basis.

Many aspects of a criminal investigation are now being revolutionised by DNA forensics, including DNA fingerprinting, DNA footprinting, DNA profiling, and so on. DNA samples are subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, which enables for exact identification of very small bits of evidence acquired at the crime scene.

In the field of forensic medicine, the following two procedures are widely employed to resolve legal issues:

(a) DNA Fingerprinting using Mini-Satellite DNA

In the years 1985-86, Alec Jeffreys and his colleagues developed DNA fingerprinting technology. DNA is recovered from bloodstains, sperm, or hair roots and then subjected to southern blotting and DNA hybridisation with the use of specialised DNA probes in this technique.

Using bloodstains, semen stains, and other stains on the victim’s clothes or body, this approach assists in the identification of criminals, rapists, and other accused individuals.

(b) Autoantibody Fingerprinting using Dipsticks

In humans and other animal species, autoantibodies are a type of antibody that reacts with cellular components. These human autoantibodies rise in number from birth to two years of age, after which they stay stable for decades, if not a lifetime. When these autoantibodies are physically separated, they form an antibody fingerprint that can be used to identify specific people. Body fluids such as blood, sperm, tears, saliva, and perspiration can also be used for this purpose.

Significance of Forensic Biotechnology

Any DNA Forensics (Identification) application relies on biotechnology. It assists in the following:

1. Develop a set of available suspects whose DNA matches evidence found at the crime scene.
2. Find those who have been mistakenly accused of crimes and exonerate them.
3. Identify victims of crime and natural disasters
4. Determine paternity and other familial ties
5. Assist wildlife officials by identifying endangered and protected species (could be used for prosecuting poachers)
6. Identify bacteria and other species that could harm the air, water, soil, or food.
7. During transplant programmes, match organ donors with recipients
8. Determine seed or livestock breed pedigree
9. Verify the authenticity of commodities like caviar and wine.

Summary

Biochips are becoming increasingly important in fields such as systems biology and disease biology, and the number of therapeutic applications is growing. It is a group of microarrays that are placed on a substrate’s hard surface to allow thousands of reactions to be done in a shorter amount of time. The primary components of biochip creation include molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics. Biochips are used to examine organic compounds that are linked to a living creature. Finally, we may infer that biochips are accurate, quick, and compact based on the evidence presented above. The biochip industry sits at the crossroads of chip design, molecular biology, genomics, and signal processing. In a number of important research areas, the market for Biochips and their applications has grown.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1. What are proteomics used for?
Ans. Proteomics is a technique for detecting protein expression patterns across time in response to a specific stimulus, as well as determining functional protein networks at the cell, tissue, or organism level.

Q.2. What is proteomics, and why is it important?
Ans. Most diseases manifest at the level of protein activity. Therefore the field of proteomics is extremely significant. As a result, proteomics aims to link the participation of individual proteins, protein complexes, and their modification status in a disease state directly.

Q.3. What is biochip?
Ans. A biochip is a collection of reduced microarrays mounted on a sturdy substrate that allows multiple experiments to be run at the same time for higher throughput in less time.

Q.4. What is forensic technology?
Ans. A technique for investigating and determining the facts surrounding a crime, which may involve the usage of carbon-related substances around the crime scene.

Q.5. What technology is used in forensics?
Ans. In different domains of forensic science, various technologies are utilised to conduct investigations and analyse evidence. Scanning electron microscopy, DNA fingerprinting, alternative light photography, facial reconstruction, and LA-ICP-MS are only a few of them.

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