Proteomic Analysis of Microbial Community Inhabiting Asian Dust Source Region

The Asian desert dust storm originating from desert regions of northern China negatively influences plant and human health causing various diseases. The soil samples collected from the dust storm site were characterized by a meta-proteomic approach using an automated two-dimensional liquid phase fractionation system and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Thirty-eight proteins were detected and identified using Expasy database as a frame of reference. The samples consisted of various bacterial species including plant pathogens and soil bacteria which cause diseases. Soil proteomics provides a deeper analysis and better understanding of the microbial community.