Building a foundation for the human proteome: the role of the Human Proteome Organization.

Proteomics holds both substantial promise and substantial challenges. For proteomics to bear fruit on a large scale from a disease investigation point of view, it is essential to build a solid foundation for the field. Given the magnitude of the challenges, it is necessary to build a foundation by bringing together the private and public sectors. The Human Proteome organization is promoting the field of proteomics by engaging in such an effort and is developing several major initiatives.