The human genome could experience significant expansion through the incorporation of short protein sequences, which scientists describe as a “gold mine of unexplored biology.”

If a collaborative effort to search for new genes encoding short proteins is successful, the relatively small universe of human genes could increase by up to one-third. This international effort, announced in Nature Biotechnology, aims to catalog new miniproteins and determine their functions, which could provide insights into a wide range of biochemical processes and potential targets for novel medicines. Experts believe that exploring the microproteome could uncover unexplored biology, shed light on genetic links to disease, and advance research in various fields. Currently, only genes coding for proteins with at least 100 amino acids are included in catalogs, leaving out smaller proteins that play important roles in cellular processes. By using techniques like Ribo-seq and mass spectrometry, the consortium aims to identify new proteins and explore their functions. At this stage, the investigators are self-funding the project, emphasizing the necessity of this research.