The Metaproteomics Initiative promotes dissemination of metaproteomics fundamentals, advancements, and applications through collaborative networking in microbiome research. We aim to be the central information hub and open meeting place where newcomers and experts interact to communicate, standardize and accelerate experimental and bioinformatic methodologies in this field. Currently, we host over 300 members from 85 labs in 22 countries, and are proudly supported by both the European Proteomics Association (EuPA, https://eupa.org/eupa-initiatives/metaproteomics/) and the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO, www.hupo.org/metaproteomics). More information about our vision can be found in Van Den Bossche, T. et al., Microbiome 9, 243 (2021) (doi: 10.1186/s40168-021-01176-w).
Our efforts are structured around three core pillars: communication & collaboration, education, and standardization. Through the first pillar, communication & collaboration, we share advancements, connect researchers, and organize community-driven benchmark studies, the so-called CAMPI studies. Two, currently ongoing projects, are CAMPI-2 and CAMPI-3. CAMPI-2 aims to establish methods for sample handling to preserve metaprotein function prior to microbiota analysis, while CAMPI-3 evaluates critical decision points in the bioinformatics workflow. Through the second pillar, education, we provide the microbiome community with technical insights and easy access to expert knowledge. At this moment, we"re drafting a comprehensive guide, "Metaproteomics for Beginners", to introduce and explain metaproteomics to researchers. Through the third pillar, standardization, our efforts are focused on developing and implementing robust (meta)data standards to ensure the FAIRness (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) of data in the field. Therefore, we are currently working on SDRF-metaproteomics metadata standards, which will integrate attributes from the MIxS metadata standard for metagenomics environments in the SDRF-Proteomics metadata standard.
We invite microbiome and proteomics researchers to join our growing community of over 300 members, to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in metaproteomics. For more information (and to become a member), please visit our website (www.metaproteomics.org). You can also contact us via e-mail (info@metaproteomics.org) or follow us on X (@MetaP_Init).