Transcriptomics and proteomics

Given the objective limitations of currently available techniques for both, combination of transcriptomics and proteomics is often used as a powerful approach for characterization of complex biological systems. This is achieved by employing high-throughput approaches in order to generate large-scale datasets using the most advanced analytical technologies including DNA microarrays and new generation sequencing (NGS) for transcriptomics and a mass spectroscopy-based protein detection for proteomics. This chapter summarizes the dynamic properties of the Plasmodium genomes that have brought great progress for scientists across the world in understanding the malaria parasite's biology in finer detail. The wide range of information collected from such high-throughput studies have revealed that a unique gene-regulation system in Plasmodium is observed during transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational control. These differences in molecular mechanisms from other eukaryotes have not only contributed to understanding of the parasite's biology but also are being exploited to design intervention strategies against this important human pathogen.