How microbial proteomics got started

Publication in 1975 by Patrick O'Farrell of a procedure to separate the proteins of Escherichia coli in a two-dimensional array on polyacrylamide gels marked the birth of the field now called proteomics. Although O'Farrell's contribution was soon to have wide ranging effects on research in many fields, the initial impact was greatest in the arena of whole cell physiology. Refinements and amplification of the original procedure, including improved standardization and reproducibility of gel patterns, introduction of techniques to measure the quantity of protein in individual spots, and biochemical identification of the protein spots, afforded investigators the ability to explore for the first time the integrated working of control circuits in the living cell. From O'Farrell's contribution has grown the rich array of techniques currently employed and still being developed in the diverse field of microbial proteomics.