Soil Proteomics

Proteomics is a post-genomic approach with the potential to interrogate natural complex systems such as soils. However, the great potentials of soil proteomics are currently limited by either the complexity of the soil matrix which is reactive, structured, teeming with microbial communities which are at the same time extremely diverse, in heterogeneous physiological state and normally poorly characterized. Taken together, these soil features pose problems of protein sampling, extraction and purification. This chapter, though not exhaustive, aims to illustrate the main approaches and achievements in soil proteomics and indicate some future directions for further developments soil proteomics.