Korean plant proteomics: pioneers in plant stress physiology

Plant proteomics is the large-scale studies of proteins, particularly on their structures and functions, governed by the physiological metabolism of plant cells. With the development of techniques and strategies in proteomics, proteomics approach is moving forward in systems biology handling sophisticated components of major signaling and biochemical pathways in plants responding to their environment. In Korea, pioneers in plant proteomics are trying to catch up with global trends in plant proteomics; these researchers are not only improving existing techniques in protein extraction but also developing new techniques in proteomics context. In the hot field of abiotic and biotic stress proteomics, 29 and 9 out of 74 papers have been published during the review period from 2005 to 2010, respectively. This present review article provides an overview on the output of Korean plant proteomers while paying special attention to both abiotic and biotic stress proteomics.