Final answer:
Proteomics complements genomics by analyzing protein functions and interactions, bridging the gap between the genetic blueprint and cellular functionality. It involves techniques like mass spectrometry and protein microarrays to study the proteome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proteomics can complement genomics by analyzing the function and interactions of proteins. While genomics is concerned with the sequencing and study of an organism's entire DNA, proteomics focuses on the proteome—the complete set of proteins expressed by a genome. The genetic information encoded in DNA leads to the production of mRNA, and ultimately proteins, which are the functional molecules within cells.
Proteomics allows for the examination of how proteins interact, their levels of expression under different conditions, and post-translational modifications, giving a more dynamic and functional representation of cellular activity. This reflects genomic activity more closely than DNA alone. Therefore, proteomics serves as a bridge, linking the blueprint provided by the genome with the functional cellular machinery. Techniques such as mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, and protein microarrays are fundamental in proteomic analysis, enabling the study of protein structure, quantity, and interactions at scale.