The Danish Proteomics Society (DAPSOC) was established in 2005 to promote proteomics, to facilitate proteomics education and training activities in Denmark and to serve as a national contact point for international proteomics societies and organisations.
Background
Proteomics is defined as the systematic analysis of proteins expressed by an organism at a given time under certain conditions. Proteomics encompass the determination of protein expression levels, interactions, localization, and regulation by post-translational modifications, etc. Proteomics has a wide range of applications in fundamental cell biology, biotechnology and molecular medicine, from the definition of the components in multiprotein complexes in the cell to the discovery of biomarkers for human diseases. Proteomic technologies include yeast two-hybrid screens for protein interactions, fluorescence microscopy for protein localization, 2D electrophoresis for protein separations, mass spectrometry for protein identification and characterization, protein/peptide array technologies, and many more. Proteomics is truly an interdisciplinary field that embraces ideas and tools from molecular cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, biomedicine, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology. In Denmark proteomics research is pursued at universities, hospitals, governmental institutes, and in industry. The high level of research activity and interest in proteomics in Denmark was evident at the Danish Biotechnology Forum meeting on ‘Applied Proteomics’ in May, 2004, which attracted 190 delegates (‘sold out’). Subsequently, the DAPSOC Symposia in 2005 and 2006 attracted approximately 100 persons and 10 company exhibitors at each event.
International activities
Proteomics and functional genomics have caught the attention of international organizations and national governments. For example, the Netherlands, UK, Sweden and Finland are prioritising proteomics and functional genomics research and have awarded large grants to national initiatives. The EU 6th and 7th Framework programmes have a series of activities in systems biology, proteomics and functional genomics to promote European collaborations and innovation in these fields.
The Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) was established in 2000 and has set out to pursue several pilot projects in proteomics (human blood, brain, liver) and to define international standards for proteomics data exchange.
The European Proteome Association (EuPA) was established during the Siena conference in August 2004. Representation by National Proteomics Societies currently include most European countries.
Objectives
The objectives of the Danish Proteomics Society (DAPSOC) are to:
- Promote proteomics in the life sciences and biotechnology
- Promote information exchange and collaborations between Danish proteomics researchers
- Organize an annual proteomics meeting and several symposia
- Disseminate information on proteomics education and training activities in Denmark.
- Coordinate events with Nordic and international proteomics societies.
- Represent Denmark in international organizations, e.g. EuPA and HUPO.