Proteomics, an important pillar of functional genome and the frontiers of the present life science, is of strategic height in the bio-tech and bio-pharmaceutical fields in the 21st century.

Major countries in the world have one after another pumped huge amounts of funds into the establishment of specialized high-energy proteome R&D centers and bases and have started relevant research programs and projects.

China is one of the first countries to sponsor and launch the proteomics research. Since 1997, the relevant research questions have been initiated and carried out smoothly with the financial aid of the State's Natural Science Foundation of China, "973 Program" and "863 Program".

Here are some developments in this front. A number of proteome research centers and /or key labs have been set up one after another. Research talents pool and technical system for bio-informatics have taken shape. And encouraging progresses in research of structural proteome have been made.

(People's Daily October 28, 2003)