Proteomic Studies for the Identification and Characterization of Marine Bioactive Molecules

The marine environment encompasses a vast diversity of species and ecosystems, representing a rich source of bioactive molecules that can be sustainably used for a wide range of industrial applications while protecting natural resources. Advancing the utilisation of natural marine products increasingly relies on modern high-throughput technologies, such as proteomic analyses, which assess changes across all proteins produced by organisms. Proteomics enables the comprehensive evaluation of protein expression patterns, including differential gene expression and its effects on proteomic profiles, as well as providing detailed insights into protein function, encompassing activity, stability, degradation, post-translational modifications, interactions, and their impact on metabolic pathways.

In response to the growing interest in proteomics research and marine compounds, this Special Issue, “Proteomic Studies for the Identification and Characterisation of Marine Bioactive Molecules”, brings together recent advances in the application of proteomic approaches to the study of diverse marine organisms. The collected contributions highlight current research trends across a wide range of species, including algae, molluscs, fish, sea anemones, and other cnidarians, as valuable sources of pharmacologically active compounds with antioxidative, antibacterial, antiproliferative, antifungal and antiaging.