Ready student one: Exploring the predictors of student learning in virtual reality.

Immersive virtual reality (VR) has enormous potential for education, but classroom resources are limited. Thus, it is important to identify whether and when VR provides sufficient advantages over other modes of learning to justify its deployment. In a between-subjects experiment, we compared three methods of teaching Moon phases (a hands-on activity, VR, and a desktop simulation) and measured student improvement on existing learning and attitudinal measures. While a substantial majority of students preferred the VR experience, we found no significant differences in learning between conditions. However, we found differences between conditions based on gender, which was highly correlated with experience with video games. These differences may indicate certain groups have an advantage in the VR setting.

Effects of molecular size fraction of DOM on photodegradation of aqueous methylmercury.

This study investigated the photodegradation kinetics of MeHg in the presence of various size fractions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) with MW < 3.5 kDa, 3.5 < MW < 10 kDa, and MW > 10 kDa. The DOM fraction with MW < 3.5 kDa was most effective in MeHg photodegradation. Increasing UV intensity resulted in the increase of photodegradation rate of the MeHg in all size of DOM fractions. Higher rates of MeHg degradation was observed at higher pH. For the portion of MW < 3.5 kDa, the photodegradation rate of MeHg increased with increasing DOM concentration, indicating that radicals such as singlet oxygen (1O2) radicals can be effectively produced by DOM. At higher portion of MW > 3.5 kDa, the inhibition of MeHg degradation was observed due to the effect of DOM photo-attenuation. Our result indicates that radical mediated reaction is the main mechanism of photodegradation of MeHg especially in the presence of MW < 3.5 kDa. Our results imply that the smaller molecular weight fraction (MW < 3.5 kDa) of DOM mainly increased the photodegradation rate of MeHg.

Drug governs the morphology of polyalkylated block copolymer aggregates.

Polyalkylated copolymers based on mPEG-b-(AGE-C6,12 or 18)25 have been used to formulate clinically relevant concentrations of doxorubicin (DOX) and the impact of drug incorporation on copolymer aggregation behaviour was examined. The copolymer aggregates were analyzed by various microscopy techniques (TEM, cryo-TEM and AFM) and scattering methods (SANS, DLS). In the absence of the drug, the copolymers formed largely non-spherical aggregates (i.e. cylinders, vesicles). Drug incorporation during copolymer aggregate formation directed the formation of only spherical aggregates. As well, the nature of the core-forming block was found to influence drug release and cytotoxicity of the formulations.

Discovery of urinary metabolomic biomarkers for early detection of acute kidney injury.

The discovery of new biomarkers for early detection of drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is clinically important. In this study, sensitive metabolomic biomarkers identified in the urine of rats were used to detect cisplatin-induced AKI. Cisplatin (10 mg kg(-1), i.p.) was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats, which were subsequently euthanized after 1, 3 or 5 days. In cisplatin-treated rats, mild histopathological alterations were noted at day 1, and these changes were severe at days 3 and 5. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) levels were significantly increased at days 3 and 5. The levels of new urinary protein-based biomarkers, including kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), glutathione S-transferase-α (GST-α), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), calbindin, clusterin, neutrophil, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and osteopontin, were significantly elevated at days 3 and 5. Among urinary metabolites, trigonelline and 3-indoxylsulfate (3-IS) levels were significantly decreased in urine collected from cisplatin-treated rats prior to histological kidney damage. However, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a hepatotoxicant, did not affect these urinary biomarkers. Trigonelline is closely associated with GSH depletion and results in insufficient antioxidant capacity against cisplatin-induced AKI. The predominant cisplatin-induced AKI marker appeared to be reduced in urinary 3-IS levels. Because 3-IS is predominantly excreted via active secretion in proximal tubules, a decrease is indicative of tubular damage. Further, urinary excretion of 3-IS levels was markedly reduced in patients with AKI compared to normal subjects. The area under the curve receiver operating characteristics (AUC-ROC) for 3-IS was higher than for SCr, BUN, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, and glucose. Therefore, low urinary or high serum 3-IS levels may be more useful for early detection of AKI than conventional biomarkers.

Pulmonary rehabilitation to decrease perioperative risks of spinal fusion for patients with neuromuscular scoliosis and low vital capacity.

BACKGROUND: In patients with neuromuscular disease and a forced vital capacity (FVC) of <30% of the predictive value, scoliosis correction operation was not recommended because of the possibility of subsequent complications. However, recent reports suggest that the operation can be performed safelyeven in these patients. AIM: This study aimed to determine the usefulness of pulmonary rehabilitation for scoliosis operation, in cases of patients with a low FVC. DESIGN: A retrospective study of a clinical case series SETTING: Inpatients of a university hospital POPULATION: Neuromuscular patients with a low FVC who received mechanical correction of scoliosis (N.=24). METHODS: End-tidal or transcutaneous carbon dioxide was monitored and noninvasive intermittent positive pressure ventilation was applied as needed to maintain normal carbon dioxide concentration. Air stacking, manually assisted coughing and mechanical insufflation-exsufflation were used to maintain normal oxygen saturation. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients of neuromuscular disease (mean age: 15.2 years; average FVC: 19.2%) were included Noninvasive intermittent positive pressure ventilator (NIPPV) was applied in 22 of the 24 patients. The endotracheal tubes of all except two patients were removed within 3 days after the operation, and they were transferred to the general ward within 3 days of extubation. Eight patients had complications, such as pneumonia, wound infection, heart failure, and debility, which were controlled easily with medical management, there were neither life-threatening complications nor a need for an invasiverespiratory intervention. CONCLUSION: Through pulmonary rehabilitation, scoliosis correction surgery could be performed safely even in patients with a neuromuscular disease and a low FVC. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The findings of this study can be used as a basis for practical guidelines for successful and safe mechanical correction of neuromuscular scoliosis.

Identification of noninvasive biomarkers for nephrotoxicity using HK-2 human kidney epithelial cells.

The kidney is an important site of xenobiotic-induced toxicity. Because the traditional markers of renal injury indicate only severe renal damage, new biomarkers are needed for a more sensitive and reliable evaluation of renal toxicity. This study was designed to identify in vitro noninvasive biomarkers for efficient assessment of nephrotoxicity by using cisplatin as a model of nephrotoxic compounds. To this end, a comparative proteomic analysis of conditioned media from HK-2 human kidney epithelial cells treated with cisplatin was performed. Here, we identified pyruvate kinase M1/M2 isoform M2 (PKM2) and eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 gamma (EF-1γ) as potential biomarker candidates for evaluation of nephrotoxicity. PKM2 and EF-1γ were increased by cisplatin in a kidney cell-specific manner, most likely due to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. The increase of PKM2 and EF-1γ levels in conditioned media was also observed in the presence of other nephrotoxic agents with different cytotoxic mechanisms such as CdCl2, HgCl2, and cyclosporine A. Rats treated with cisplatin, CdCl2, or HgCl2 presented increased levels of PKM2 and EF-1γ in the urine and kidney tissue. Taken together, this study identified two noninvasive biomarker candidates, PKM2 and EF-1γ, by comparative proteomic analysis. These new biomarkers may offer an alternative to traditional renal markers for efficient evaluation of nephrotoxicity.

Age-related differences in kidney injury biomarkers induced by cisplatin.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in a half of cisplatin (CDDP)-treated patients. Traditional biomarkers including blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) are still used for detection of CDDP-induced AKI, but these biomarkers are not specific or sensitive. The aim of this study was to identify the specific and sensitive biomarkers against CDDP-induced renal injury between young (3-week-old) and old (20-week-old) rats. All animals were intraperitoneally injected once with CDDP (6 mg/kg). After 3 days, all animals were sacrificed and serum, urine, and kidney tissues were collected. Urinary and serum biomarkers as well as histological changes were measured. CDDP-induced proximal tubular damage was apparent from histopathological examination, being more severe in 3-week-old rats accompanied by increased number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells. This was associated with elevated urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), glutathione-S-transferase alpha (GST-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1). In contrast, the levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and osteopontin were significantly increased in 20-week-old rats after CDDP treatment. These results indicate that the use of age-specific urinary biomarkers is necessary to diagnosis of CDDP-induced AKI. Especially, urinary KIM-1, GST-α, TIMP-1, and VEGF levels may help in the early diagnosis of young patients with CDDP-induced AKI.

Resveratrol enhances chemosensitivity of doxorubicin in multidrug-resistant human breast cancer cells via increased cellular influx of doxorubicin.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance is a major problem in the treatment of breast cancer, and a number of studies have attempted to find an efficient strategy with which to overcome it. In this study, we investigate the synergistic anticancer effects of resveratrol (RSV) and doxorubicin (Dox) against human breast cancer cell lines. METHODS: The synergistic effects of RSV on chemosensitivity were examined in Dox-resistant breast cancer (MCF-7/adr) and MDA-MB-231 cells. In vivo experiments were performed using a nude mouse xenograft model to investigate the combined sensitization effect of RSV and Dox. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: RSV markedly enhanced Dox-induced cytotoxicity in MCF-7/adr and MDA-MB-231 cells. Treatment with a combination of RSV and Dox significantly increased the cellular accumulation of Dox by down-regulating the expression levels of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes, MDR1, and MRP1. Further in vivo experiments in the xenograft model revealed that treatment with a combination of RSV and Dox significantly inhibited tumor volume by 60%, relative to the control group. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that treatment with a combination of RSV and Dox would be a helpful strategy for increasing the efficacy of Dox by promoting an intracellular accumulation of Dox and decreasing multi-drug resistance in human breast cancer cells.

Molecular mechanism of SAHA on regulation of autophagic cell death in tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

OBJECTIVE: Tamoxifen is currently used for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients, but acquired resistance to tamoxifen is a critical problem in breast cancer therapy. Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) is a prototype of the newly developed HDAC inhibitor. The aim of this study is to investigate the anticancer effects of SAHA in tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 (TAMR/MCF-7) cells. METHODS: Cytotoxicity, apoptosis and autophagic cell death induced by SAHA were studied. A TAMR/MCF-7 cells xenograft model was established to investigate the inhibitory effect of SAHA on tumor growth in vivo. RESULTS: SAHA inhibited the proliferation of TAMR/MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. SAHA significantly reduced the expression of HDAC1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 and increased acetylated histone H3 and H4. Although SAHA induced G2/M phase arrest of cell cycle, apoptotic cell death was very low, which is correlated with the slight change in the activation of caspases and PARP cleavage. Interestingly, expression of the autophagic cell death markers, LC3-II and beclin-1, was significantly increased in TAMR/MCF-7 cells treated with SAHA. Autophagic cell death induced by SAHA was confirmed by acridine orange staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in TAMR/MCF-7 cells. In mice bearing the TAMR/MCF-7 cell xenografts, SAHA significantly reduced the tumor growth and weight, without apparent side effects. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SAHA can induce caspase-independent autophagic cell death rather than apoptotic cell death in TAMR/MCF-7 cells. SAHA-mediated autophagic cell death is a promising new strategy to treatment of tamoxifen-resistant human breast cancer.

Comparisons of polybrominated diphenyl ethers levels in paired South Korean cord blood, maternal blood, and breast milk samples.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), commonly used flame retardants, have been reported as potential endocrine disruptor and neurodevelopmental toxicants, thus giving rise to the public health concern. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between umbilical cord blood, maternal blood, and breast milk concentrations of PBDEs in South Korean. We assessed PBDE levels in paired samples of umbilical cord blood, maternal blood, and breast milk. The levels of seven PBDE congeners were measured in 21 paired samples collected from the Cheil Woman's Hospital (Seoul, Korea) in 2008. We also measured thyroid hormones levels in maternal and cord blood to assess the association between PBDEs exposure and thyroid hormone levels. However, there was no correlation between serum thyroxin (T4) and total PBDEs concentrations. The total PBDEs concentrations in the umbilical cord blood, maternal blood, and breast milk were 10.7±5.1 ng g(-1) lipid, 7.7±4.2 ng g(-1) lipid, and 3.0±1.8 ng g(-1) lipid, respectively. The ranges of total PBDE concentrations observed were 2.28-30.94 ng g(-1) lipid in umbilical cord blood, 1.8-17.66 ng g(-1) lipid in maternal blood, and 1.08-8.66 ng g(-1) lipid in breast milk. BDE-47 (45-73% of total PBDEs) was observed to be present dominantly in all samples, followed by BDE-153. A strong correlation was found for major BDE-congeners between breast milk and cord blood or maternal blood and cord blood samples. The measurement of PBDEs concentrations in maternal blood or breast milk may help to determine the concentration of PBDEs in infant.

Prefractionation using microscale solution IEF.

Proteomics often involves systematic analyses of proteomes that are constantly changing in response to changes in the environment of the cell, tissue, or organism being analyzed. Due to limitations of all current protein profiling methods, powerful, reliable proteome prefractionation methods prior to two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) gels or alternative non-2DE gel methods are needed for in-depth quantitative comparisons of the complex proteomes typically encountered with samples from higher eukaryotes. The microscale solution isoelectrofocusing (MicroSol IEF) fractionation method is capable of reproducibly dividing complex proteomes into as many as seven well-resolved fractions based on the proteins' pIs on a small volume scale ( approximately 0.65mL/fraction). When MicroSol IEF is combined with narrow pH range 2DE gels or with alternative downstream analysis methods, it can substantially increase the detection dynamic range and the total number of proteins that can be quantitatively compared. Although MicroSol IEF is reasonably reproducible, subtle variations can occur in different separations similar to the minor variations often seen in most separations of proteins. Therefore, for reliable quantitative comparisons the samples to be compared should be differentially labeled with either Cy dyes or stable isotope labels prior to mixing and separation in a single MicroSol IEF run. Larger numbers of samples can be compared across many MicroSol IEF separations by using a differentially labeled internal standard composed of equal aliquots of all samples to be compared.

Antitumor effect of soluble beta-1,3-glucan from Agrobacterium sp. R259 KCTC 1019.

Beta-1,3-glucans enhance immune reactions such as antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, anticoagulatory, and wound healing activities. beta-1,3-Glucans have various functions depending on the molecular weight, degree of branching, conformation, water solubility, and intermolecular association. The molecular weight of the soluble glucan was about 15,000 as determined by a high-performance size exclusion chromatography. From the infrared (IR) and 13C NMR analytical data, the purified soluble glucan was found to exclusively consist of beta-D-glucopyranose with 1,3 linkage. We tested the immunestimulating activities of the soluble beta-1,3-glucan extracted from Agrobacterium sp. R259 KCTC 1019 and confirmed the following activities. IFN-gamma and each cytokines were induced in the spleens and thymus of mice treated with soluble beta-1,3-glucan. Adjuvant effect was observed on antibody production. Nitric oxide was synthesized in monocytic cell lines treated with beta-1,3-glucan. The cytotoxic and antitumor effects were observed on various cancer cell lines and ICR mice. These results strongly suggested that this soluble beta-1,3-glucan could be a good candidate for an immune-modulating agent.

Protein detection in gels without fixation.

A number of alternative methods are described for detecting proteins in polyacrylamide gels that do not require fixation of the protein either prior to staining or in conjunction with staining. The primary advantage of avoiding fixation is that this makes it easier to remove proteins of interest from the gels for subsequent analysis. In general, the sensitivity of protein detection methods that avoid fixation is lower than for detection methods using fixation. For any given method, sensitivity is dependent on the volume of the protein band within the gel; hence, sensitivity is highest for sharp, narrow bands. Techniques described in this unit include protocols for protein detection in gels by SDS precipitation, preparation of contact blots, staining with imidazole-zinc, and use of the fluorescent labels IAEDANS and fluorescamine. Several additional methods, including the use of tryptophan fluorescence, guide strips, and minimal protein staining, are discussed in the Commentary.

Higher dimensional (Hi-D) separation strategies dramatically improve the potential for cancer biomarker detection in serum and plasma.

The plasma proteome has a wide dynamic range of protein concentrations and is dominated by a few highly abundant proteins. Discovery of novel cancer biomarkers using proteomics is particularly challenging because specific biomarkers are expected to be low abundance proteins with normal blood concentrations of low nanograms per milliliter or less. Conventional, one- and two-dimensional proteomic methods including 2D PAGE, 2D DIGE, LC-MS/MS, and LC/LC-MS/MS do not have the capacity to consistently detect many proteins in this range. In contrast, new higher dimensional (Hi-D) separation strategies, utilizing more than two dimensions of fractionation, can profile the low abundance proteome.

Proteome analysis of Halobacterium salinarum and characterization of proteins related to the degradation of isopropyl alcohol.

We reported in a previous study that proteomic approach, coupled with genomic techniques, could be used to screen and develop multiple candidates for halophilic enzymes from Halobacterium salinarum. In order to evaluate the biodegradation of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) by H. salinarum, the amounts of residual IPA and acetone generated in the growth media were determined using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The protein expression profiles of cells which had been cultured with IPA were obtained with the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteins evidencing different expression levels in the presence of 0.5% IPA were identified by electrospray ionization-quadruple-time of flight (ESI-Q-TOF) mass spectrometry. We found 12 proteins which were down-regulated, and another 12 proteins which were up-regulated, in the presence of 0.5% IPA and we further identified 17 proteins among them using ESI-TOF MS/MS. Among these identified proteins, we selected glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) for further characterization as a halophilic enzyme. We have demonstrated for the first time that H. salinarum possesses the ability to degrade IPA and GAPDH was both stable and active at high salt concentrations, with maximum activity occurring at 1 M NaCl, although the optimal salt concentration with regard to the growth of H. salinarum is 4.3 M.

Halophile aldehyde dehydrogenase from Halobacterium salinarum.

Halobacterium salinarum is a member of the halophilic archaea. In the present study, H. salinarum was cultured at various NaCl concentrations (3.5, 4.3, and 6.0 M NaCl), and its proteome was determined and identificated via proteomics technique. We detected 14 proteins which were significantly down-regulated in 3.5 M and/or 6 M NaCl. Among the identified protein spots, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) was selected for evaluation with regard to its potential applications in industry. The most effective metabolism function exhibited by ALDH is the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids. The ALDH gene from H. salinarum (1.5 kb fragment) was amplified by PCR and cloned into the E. coli strain, BL21 (DE3), with the pGEX-KG vector. We subsequently analyzed the enzyme activity of the recombinant ALDH (54 kDa) at a variety of salt concentrations. The purified recombinant ALDH from H. salinarum exhibited the most pronounced activity at 1 M NaCl. Therefore, the ALDH from H.salinarum is a halophilic enzyme, and may prove useful for applications in hypersaline environments.

Plasma protein level changes in waste incineration workers exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) is a chemical compound which is known to induce severe reproductive and developmental problems, immune system damage, and interference with regulatory hormones. To characterize changes in the expression of plasma proteins caused by exposure to TCDD, we analyzed plasma samples from workers at municipal incinerators using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Proteins exhibiting differences in expression were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and electrospray ionization quadrupole (ESI-Q) TOF mass spectrometry. One newly expressed protein was identified as the adrenomedulin binding protein (AMBP). Seven overexpressed proteins were identified in this study, and the most overexpressed protein was identified as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). In addition, we cultured HepG2 cells in the presence of TCDD, to determine the effects of TCDD on the AFP and albumin expression in mRNA and protein levels, via RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. TCDD treatment resulted in an increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of AFP, but reduced albumin expression. According to our results, exposure to TCDD may induce liver disease or cancer, and the proteins identified in this study could help reveal the mechanisms underlying TCDD toxicity.

Proteomic characterization of rat liver exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorobenzo-p-dioxin.

Dioxins are a class of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons that induce a wide spectrum of toxic responses in experimental animals. In this study, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorobenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was exposed to two SD rat groups; one group for short-term exposure at a single dose of 1, 10, 20 and 50 mug/kg body weight (group 1) and the other for long-term exposure at daily and-low dose of 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 2.5 microg/kg body weight (group 2) for a month. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) was utilized to resolve the protein profile of rat liver exposed to TCDD at different doses. In the analysis of 2-DE of the group 1, two new-expressed spots and seven volume-increased spots were detected and identified by ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS; especially, proteasome subunit beta type 3 was increased in all doses. In addition, in the group 2, six volume-increased spots were screened; particularly, histidine triad nucleotide binding protein was increased in both 0.1 microg/kg dose and 1 microg/kg dose. The identified proteins were confirmed using Western blot. Among the identified proteins, apolipoprotein A-IV may protect lipid peroxidation and atherosclerosis induced by TCDD exposure and the expression level of phosphoglycerate mutase increases due to hyperthyroidism induced by TCDD exposure.

An efficient proteomics based strategy for the functional characterization of a novel halophilic enzyme from Halobacterium salinarum.

The extremely halophilic archaeon, Halobacterium salinarum grows in environments containing over 25% NaCl. The enzymes of this organism have thus been adapted to be active and stable in hypersaline conditions, which makes them strong candidates as robust industrial enzymes. In this study, the proteomics approach was applied to screen novel halophilic enzymes. We focused initially on proteins that are differentially expressed under different salt concentrations in culture media. After two-dimensional gel electrophoresis over a pH 3.5-4.5 range, 29 differentially expressed protein spots were identified by tandem mass spectrometry and six of these had no similarity to preexisting genes of known function. To predict the function of them, we used various bioinformatic methods. Among other proteins, we selected Vng0487h, which showed a high similarity to acetyltransferases. As a step toward assaying the enzymatic activity of this protein, we cloned the Vng0487h gene of H. salinarum and expressed and purified the recombinant protein with a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) tag in Escherichia coli. Using a GST-pulldown assay, a protein fragment derived from E. coli could interact with recombinant Vng0487h, and was identified to be the ribosomal protein L3. This protein showed high sequence homology with ribosomal protein L7/12 from E. coli and ribosomal protein L13p from H. salinarum. This suggests that Vng0487h acetylates a subunit of ribosomal protein, possibly L13p, in H. salinarum. During the present study, an efficient procedure was established to screen novel halophilic enzymes, and to predict and assess their functions.

Proteomics of Halophilic archaea.

Halophilic archaea is a member of the Halobacteriacea family, the only family in the Halobacteriales order. Most Halophilic archaea require 1.5M NaCl both to grow and retain the structural integrity of the cells. The proteins of these organisms have thus been adapted to be active and stable in the hypersaline condition. Consequently, the unique properties of these biocatalysts have resulted in several novel applications in industrial processes. Halophilic archaea are also to be useful for bioremediation of hypersaline environment. Proteome data have expended enormously with the significant advance recently achieved in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry (MS). The whole genome sequencing of Halobacterium species NRC-1 was completed and this would also provide tremendous help to analyze the protein mass data from the similar strain Halobacterium salinarum. Proteomics coupled with genomic databases now has become a basic tool to understand or identify the function of genes and proteins. In addition, the bioinformatics approach will facilitate to predict the function of novel proteins of Halophilic archaea. This review will discuss current proteome study of Halophilic archaea and introduce the efficient procedures for screening, predicting, and confirming the function of novel halophilic enzymes.