Proteomics and Metabolomics

Abstract

“Proteomics” and “metabolomics” are the most recently developed “omic” technologies used to describe biological systems. They are used to identify the entire suite of proteins and metabolites of a sample, developing the so-called protein profi ling and metabolic profi ling, respectively. Both technologies have been largely improved over the last years and make use of the same steps: experimental design, protein/ metabolite extraction and preparation, protein/metabolite separation, protein/metabolite identifi cation and data analysis and integration. Even though these technologies have been largely used in plants, their application to stone fruits has been just recently performed. In the present chapter, the basics of “proteomics” and “metabolomics” are briefl y described; as well as their application to stone fruits. Specifi cally, the results obtained when applying these technologies to the analysis of the development, ripening and postharvest of peach fruit have lead to the identifi cation of key proteins and metabolites involved in, e.g., the tolerance to chilling injury. Moreover, the results obtained indicate particular metabolic programs for peach fruit, which are different when comparing to other types of fruits. Therefore, the extension of these studies to other stone fruits, as well as under different developmental or environmental situations, together with the interpretation and integration of the large datasets derived, will help in modeling the molecular networks related to traits of agronomic interest in stone fruits.