Proteomics
Japanese: プロテオミクス
The comprehensive study of proteins in biological systems. An omics technology for understanding the full repertoire of enzymes produced by koji mold.
Proteomics is the comprehensive study of an organism's entire protein complement. If the genome is the 'blueprint,' the proteome is the totality of 'parts actually in operation.'
Koji mold proteomics research reveals which enzymes are expressed and in what quantities under different cultivation conditions. The same mold on rice versus barley shows different patterns of protease and amylase expression—meaning koji mold switches its enzyme 'menu' according to substrate.
Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry are core proteomics technologies. Tracking how enzymes change during miso aging opens the path to molecular-level understanding of 'why long-aged miso is delicious.' Expert understanding becomes the key to expanding fermentation's possibilities.