EMBL Australia and Bioplatforms Australia joined forces to host a pivotal proteomics workshop titled ‘Future-proofing Computational Proteomics’ on 24 April, featuring leading guest speakers, Dr Rolf Apweiler, Prof Marc Wilkins and Dr Richard Lipscombe.
The Australian proteomics community discussed advancements in proteomics research and the pivotal role of computational approaches in shaping the future of the field at an event jointly hosted by EMBL Australia and Bioplatforms Australia last week.
The Future-proofing Computational Proteomics workshop, held in Melbourne on 24 April, featured a line-up of esteemed speakers, including Director of the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) Dr Rolf Apweiler, University of New South Wales Deputy Dean (Research and Enterprise) Professor Marc Wilkins and Managing Director of Proteomics International Ltd Dr Richard Lipscombe.
The event also served as a platform for networking and fostering collaborations across national and international research and infrastructure communities. Twenty-five members of Australia’s proteomics community attended, representing a range of organisations, including NCRIS groups Bioplatforms Australia, Population Health Research Network (PHRN) and National Imaging Facility (NIF), and the Australian Government Department of Education.
Dr Apweiler provided attendees with a global perspective on modern proteomics, covering crucial aspects, such as data repositories, standards and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles for data sharing and integration. He highlighted the importance of collaboration and data-sharing across borders to advance proteomics research on a global scale.
Professor Wilkins – who developed the concept of the proteome and coined the term in 1994 – provided a historical overview of proteomics and perspectives into the future trajectory of the field.
Offering insights into how proteomics technologies are being applied in the healthcare sector to improve diagnostics and patient care, Dr Lipscombe emphasised the transformative impact of proteomics in many areas, including as biomarkers for disease, techniques for clinical sample analysis and the potential impact on personalised medicine and precision healthcare.
“Proteomics is transforming how we deliver healthcare diagnostics,” Dr Lipscombe said.
“Our ability to collaborate across sites, integrate our data systems, and thereby generate highly accurate results, underpins this journey towards true precision medicine.”
Thank you to organisers Andrew Gilbert (Bioplatforms Australia), Ian Smith (EMBL Australia), Ralf Schittenhelm (Monash University), and Nadya Glebova (EMBL Australia), for ensuring an enriching experience for all participants.