How many proteins are in the human body? Excellent question! At least 20,000. But maybe 30,000? Maybe more? Here's my story about scientists exploring the hidden world of microproteins, and what it may mean for the future of medicine. nyti.ms/3HEPQTY 🧪
Shining a Light on the World of Microproteins
From viruses to humans, life makes microproteins that have evaded discovery until now.
nyti.ms
June 12, 2025 at 6:54 PM
How many proteins are in the human body? Excellent question! At least 20,000. But maybe 30,000? Maybe more? Here's my story about scientists exploring the hidden world of microproteins, and what it may mean for the future of medicine. nyti.ms/3HEPQTY 🧪
Our genome encodes > 7000 microproteins that have been previously ignored in genome annotations. How do these microproteins impact tissue function? Here, we use an in vivo single-cell CRISPR screen to systematically explore microprotein function in the mouse epidermis. 1/9
www.biorxiv.org
March 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Our genome encodes > 7000 microproteins that have been previously ignored in genome annotations. How do these microproteins impact tissue function? Here, we use an in vivo single-cell CRISPR screen to systematically explore microprotein function in the mouse epidermis. 1/9
This is truly surprising: 1,067 microproteins never seen before in the human brain! Hundreds show altered levels in Alzheimer's, often higher. This could open totally new avenues for treatment, focusing on how these tiny proteins affect brain immune cells like microglia.
Microproteins emerge as potential new Alzheimer's targets
Researchers at the Salk Institute have compiled a new atlas of microproteins in the human brain, identifying 1,067 previously uncharacterized microproteins. They discovered that hundreds of these micr
www.drugtargetreview.com
September 15, 2026 at 2:03 PM
This is truly surprising: 1,067 microproteins never seen before in the human brain! Hundreds show altered levels in Alzheimer's, often higher. This could open totally new avenues for treatment, focusing on how these tiny proteins affect brain immune cells like microglia.
Lots of new activity here!
Time to (re)introduce the 2025 Gordon Conference on #Microproteins
It's a 5 day definitive even for all things #riboseq, #ribosome, #microproteins.
Register now before it fills up!!
🧪
💻 🧬
🔎 microproteins
#RNAsky
#RNAbiology
#GeneSky
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
Time to (re)introduce the 2025 Gordon Conference on #Microproteins
It's a 5 day definitive even for all things #riboseq, #ribosome, #microproteins.
Register now before it fills up!!
🧪
💻 🧬
🔎 microproteins
#RNAsky
#RNAbiology
#GeneSky
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
2025 Decoding Microproteins Across Evolution and Disease Conference GRC
The 2025 Gordon Research Conference on Decoding Microproteins Across Evolution and Disease will be held in Castelldefels, Barcelona Spain. Apply today to reserve your spot.
www.grc.org
November 15, 2024 at 12:23 PM
Lots of new activity here!
Time to (re)introduce the 2025 Gordon Conference on #Microproteins
It's a 5 day definitive even for all things #riboseq, #ribosome, #microproteins.
Register now before it fills up!!
🧪
💻 🧬
🔎 microproteins
#RNAsky
#RNAbiology
#GeneSky
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
Time to (re)introduce the 2025 Gordon Conference on #Microproteins
It's a 5 day definitive even for all things #riboseq, #ribosome, #microproteins.
Register now before it fills up!!
🧪
💻 🧬
🔎 microproteins
#RNAsky
#RNAbiology
#GeneSky
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
More than 1,000 overlooked microproteins in human brain tissue have been detected, including some that are altered in Alzheimer’s disease
go.nature.com/4cLLC9Q
go.nature.com/4cLLC9Q
Map of brain ‘microproteins’ could offer new clues to Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers detect more than 1,000 overlooked microproteins in human brain tissue, including some that are altered in Alzheimer’s disease.
go.nature.com
September 16, 2026 at 8:47 AM
More than 1,000 overlooked microproteins in human brain tissue have been detected, including some that are altered in Alzheimer’s disease
go.nature.com/4cLLC9Q
go.nature.com/4cLLC9Q
Check out our new review article on intrinsically disordered #microproteins now out in @acs.org Biochemistry!
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
No Time to Fold: Intrinsically Disordered Microproteins in Action
Advances in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics have uncovered the existence of thousands of translated small open reading frames less than 100–150 codons in length that encode microproteins. In ...
pubs.acs.org
June 5, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Check out our new review article on intrinsically disordered #microproteins now out in @acs.org Biochemistry!
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
More than 1,000 overlooked microproteins in human brain tissue have been detected, including some that are altered in Alzheimer’s disease
go.nature.com/4y1RkwJ
go.nature.com/4y1RkwJ
Map of brain ‘microproteins’ could offer new clues to Alzheimer’s disease
Nature - Researchers detect more than 1,000 overlooked microproteins in human brain tissue, including some that are altered in Alzheimer’s disease.
go.nature.com
September 19, 2026 at 9:10 AM
More than 1,000 overlooked microproteins in human brain tissue have been detected, including some that are altered in Alzheimer’s disease
go.nature.com/4y1RkwJ
go.nature.com/4y1RkwJ
Excited about microproteins? I am :) www.youtube.com/watch?v=drCz...
October 1, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Excited about microproteins? I am :) www.youtube.com/watch?v=drCz...
Ring in the New Year with a resolution to join the 2025 GRC on #Microproteins!
Get a chance to talk about *amazing* science in Barcelona.
Trainees: apply now and be eligible for a travel scholarship!
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
🧪
🧬 💻
#genomics
#bioinformatics
🔎 microproteins
#RNAsky
#Ribosome
Get a chance to talk about *amazing* science in Barcelona.
Trainees: apply now and be eligible for a travel scholarship!
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
🧪
🧬 💻
#genomics
#bioinformatics
🔎 microproteins
#RNAsky
#Ribosome
2025 Decoding Microproteins Across Evolution and Disease Conference GRC
The 2025 Gordon Research Conference on Decoding Microproteins Across Evolution and Disease will be held in Castelldefels, Barcelona Spain. Apply today to reserve your spot.
www.grc.org
December 31, 2024 at 12:24 PM
Ring in the New Year with a resolution to join the 2025 GRC on #Microproteins!
Get a chance to talk about *amazing* science in Barcelona.
Trainees: apply now and be eligible for a travel scholarship!
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
🧪
🧬 💻
#genomics
#bioinformatics
🔎 microproteins
#RNAsky
#Ribosome
Get a chance to talk about *amazing* science in Barcelona.
Trainees: apply now and be eligible for a travel scholarship!
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
🧪
🧬 💻
#genomics
#bioinformatics
🔎 microproteins
#RNAsky
#Ribosome
I’m excited to speak at @KeystoneSymp
#Microproteins: from Discovery to Applications, this February in Beverly MA! The deadline for Posters in January 15 2025. Join me to explore fascinating #Microproteins! keysym.us/KSMicroprote... #KSMicroproteins25 🧪🔎Microproteins
Meeting Summary |
Join us at the Keystone Symposia on , October 2024, in , with field leaders!
keysym.us
December 27, 2024 at 9:33 PM
I’m excited to speak at @KeystoneSymp
#Microproteins: from Discovery to Applications, this February in Beverly MA! The deadline for Posters in January 15 2025. Join me to explore fascinating #Microproteins! keysym.us/KSMicroprote... #KSMicroproteins25 🧪🔎Microproteins
Nature research paper: Expanding the human proteome with microproteins and peptideins
go.nature.com/4ttILbi
go.nature.com/4ttILbi
Expanding the human proteome with microproteins and peptideins - Nature
A large-scale proteomics analysis of the dark proteome by the TransCODE Consortium reveals many translated non-canonical open reading frames to encode microproteins and peptideins.
go.nature.com
May 6, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Nature research paper: Expanding the human proteome with microproteins and peptideins
go.nature.com/4ttILbi
go.nature.com/4ttILbi
Small proteins, mighty potential! Whether you're an afficionado or just interested in diving into the world of #microproteins, join us for a Keystone meeting February 2025 in Beverly MA: www.keystonesymposia.org/conferences/...
Microproteins: from Discovery to Applications | Keystone Symposia
Join us at the Keystone Symposia on Microproteins: from Discovery to Applications, February 2025, in Beverly, with field leaders!
www.keystonesymposia.org
November 19, 2024 at 12:25 AM
Small proteins, mighty potential! Whether you're an afficionado or just interested in diving into the world of #microproteins, join us for a Keystone meeting February 2025 in Beverly MA: www.keystonesymposia.org/conferences/...
Map of brain ‘microproteins’ could offer new clues to Alzheimer’s disease www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Map of brain ‘microproteins’ could offer new clues to Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers detect more than 1,000 overlooked microproteins in human brain tissue, including some that are altered in Alzheimer’s disease.
www.nature.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Map of brain ‘microproteins’ could offer new clues to Alzheimer’s disease www.nature.com/articles/d41...
🔎microproteins special issue!
TiG's February issue is devoted to microproteins and the small ORFs that encode them.
Check it out!
www.cell.com/trends/genet...
Check it out!
www.cell.com/trends/genet...
February 11, 2025 at 5:41 AM
🔎microproteins special issue!
Hey guys-
I made a microproteins & small ORFs starter pack for anyone who might be interested!! Please message if you want to be added.
We also have a Microproteins feed for you to check out!
🧪
💻 + 🧬
🔎 microproteins
go.bsky.app/A1KUJRz
I made a microproteins & small ORFs starter pack for anyone who might be interested!! Please message if you want to be added.
We also have a Microproteins feed for you to check out!
🧪
💻 + 🧬
🔎 microproteins
go.bsky.app/A1KUJRz
November 10, 2024 at 2:06 AM
Hey guys-
I made a microproteins & small ORFs starter pack for anyone who might be interested!! Please message if you want to be added.
We also have a Microproteins feed for you to check out!
🧪
💻 + 🧬
🔎 microproteins
go.bsky.app/A1KUJRz
I made a microproteins & small ORFs starter pack for anyone who might be interested!! Please message if you want to be added.
We also have a Microproteins feed for you to check out!
🧪
💻 + 🧬
🔎 microproteins
go.bsky.app/A1KUJRz
Ok so I love this new Cell paper on lncRNAs.
and also it dovetails largely with the microproteins work on essential non-canonical ORFs that several groups have been studying including my own.
#RNAsky #microproteins #cansky folks
🧪
💻+🧬
🔎 microproteins
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
and also it dovetails largely with the microproteins work on essential non-canonical ORFs that several groups have been studying including my own.
#RNAsky #microproteins #cansky folks
🧪
💻+🧬
🔎 microproteins
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Transcriptome-scale RNA-targeting CRISPR screens reveal essential lncRNAs in human cells
Massively parallel CRISPR-Cas13 screens in multiple human cell lines uncover universally
essential and context-specific essential lncRNAs that exhibit dynamic expression during
development and in spec...
www.cell.com
November 12, 2024 at 12:40 PM
Ok so I love this new Cell paper on lncRNAs.
and also it dovetails largely with the microproteins work on essential non-canonical ORFs that several groups have been studying including my own.
#RNAsky #microproteins #cansky folks
🧪
💻+🧬
🔎 microproteins
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
and also it dovetails largely with the microproteins work on essential non-canonical ORFs that several groups have been studying including my own.
#RNAsky #microproteins #cansky folks
🧪
💻+🧬
🔎 microproteins
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Major new work by the #TransCODE Consortium out today in @nature.com.
Read all about our efforts to shed light onto the forgotten areas of the human proteome. #Microproteins #Peptideins #DarkProteome
This was a huge global collaboration, in part funded via #NIH
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
1/
Read all about our efforts to shed light onto the forgotten areas of the human proteome. #Microproteins #Peptideins #DarkProteome
This was a huge global collaboration, in part funded via #NIH
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
1/
Expanding the human proteome with microproteins and peptideins - Nature
A large-scale proteomics analysis of the dark proteome by the TransCODE Consortium reveals many translated non-canonical open reading frames to encode microproteins and peptideins.
www.nature.com
May 6, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Major new work by the #TransCODE Consortium out today in @nature.com.
Read all about our efforts to shed light onto the forgotten areas of the human proteome. #Microproteins #Peptideins #DarkProteome
This was a huge global collaboration, in part funded via #NIH
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
1/
Read all about our efforts to shed light onto the forgotten areas of the human proteome. #Microproteins #Peptideins #DarkProteome
This was a huge global collaboration, in part funded via #NIH
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
1/
#Microproteins may be the next frontier in #proteomics. But figuring out the publications can be tough.
If you are looking for some advice about microprotein evidence, check out the latest from our consortium. Lead by @carvunis.bsky.social and Aaron Wacholder!
🧬 💻
#genomics
#RNASky
bit.ly/4bgJSDm
If you are looking for some advice about microprotein evidence, check out the latest from our consortium. Lead by @carvunis.bsky.social and Aaron Wacholder!
🧬 💻
#genomics
#RNASky
bit.ly/4bgJSDm
Detection of human unannotated microproteins by mass spectrometry-based proteomics: a community assessment
Thousands of short open reading frames (sORFs) are translated outside of annotated coding sequences. Recent studies have pioneered searching for sORF-encoded microproteins in mass spectrometry (MS)-ba...
bit.ly
February 24, 2025 at 12:33 PM
#Microproteins may be the next frontier in #proteomics. But figuring out the publications can be tough.
If you are looking for some advice about microprotein evidence, check out the latest from our consortium. Lead by @carvunis.bsky.social and Aaron Wacholder!
🧬 💻
#genomics
#RNASky
bit.ly/4bgJSDm
If you are looking for some advice about microprotein evidence, check out the latest from our consortium. Lead by @carvunis.bsky.social and Aaron Wacholder!
🧬 💻
#genomics
#RNASky
bit.ly/4bgJSDm
Registration is OPEN for the Gordon Research Conference on #Microproteins! Scholarships are available.
Get involved now while spaces are still available.
You won't want to miss this!
🧪
🧬 💻
🔎 microproteins
#darkgenome
#NoncodingGenome
#Cancer
#Proteomics
#sORFs
#Ribose
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
Get involved now while spaces are still available.
You won't want to miss this!
🧪
🧬 💻
🔎 microproteins
#darkgenome
#NoncodingGenome
#Cancer
#Proteomics
#sORFs
#Ribose
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
2025 Decoding Microproteins Across Evolution and Disease Conference GRC
The 2025 Gordon Research Conference on Decoding Microproteins Across Evolution and Disease will be held in Castelldefels, Barcelona Spain. Apply today to reserve your spot.
www.grc.org
November 29, 2024 at 6:35 PM
Registration is OPEN for the Gordon Research Conference on #Microproteins! Scholarships are available.
Get involved now while spaces are still available.
You won't want to miss this!
🧪
🧬 💻
🔎 microproteins
#darkgenome
#NoncodingGenome
#Cancer
#Proteomics
#sORFs
#Ribose
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
Get involved now while spaces are still available.
You won't want to miss this!
🧪
🧬 💻
🔎 microproteins
#darkgenome
#NoncodingGenome
#Cancer
#Proteomics
#sORFs
#Ribose
www.grc.org/decoding-mic...
Map of brain ‘microproteins’ could offer new clues to Alzheimer’s disease
Great reporting from @miryamnaddaf.bsky.social on a @nataging.nature.com paper
🧪
@natureportfolio.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Great reporting from @miryamnaddaf.bsky.social on a @nataging.nature.com paper
🧪
@natureportfolio.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Map of brain ‘microproteins’ could offer new clues to Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers detect more than 1,000 overlooked microproteins in human brain tissue, including some that are altered in Alzheimer’s disease.
www.nature.com
September 17, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Map of brain ‘microproteins’ could offer new clues to Alzheimer’s disease
Great reporting from @miryamnaddaf.bsky.social on a @nataging.nature.com paper
🧪
@natureportfolio.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Great reporting from @miryamnaddaf.bsky.social on a @nataging.nature.com paper
🧪
@natureportfolio.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Hey all - trying to rebuild a network over here. Who is excited about #cancergenomics, #microproteins, #childhoodcancer?
Reach out!
@sebastiaanvheesch.bsky.social @thomasmartinez.bsky.social @uwe-ohler.bsky.social @kentsisresearch.bsky.social
🧪
💻+🧬
🔎 microproteins
Reach out!
@sebastiaanvheesch.bsky.social @thomasmartinez.bsky.social @uwe-ohler.bsky.social @kentsisresearch.bsky.social
🧪
💻+🧬
🔎 microproteins
November 8, 2024 at 12:24 PM
Hey all - trying to rebuild a network over here. Who is excited about #cancergenomics, #microproteins, #childhoodcancer?
Reach out!
@sebastiaanvheesch.bsky.social @thomasmartinez.bsky.social @uwe-ohler.bsky.social @kentsisresearch.bsky.social
🧪
💻+🧬
🔎 microproteins
Reach out!
@sebastiaanvheesch.bsky.social @thomasmartinez.bsky.social @uwe-ohler.bsky.social @kentsisresearch.bsky.social
🧪
💻+🧬
🔎 microproteins
Glad to be in the "conversation" about microproteins and other non-canonical proteins arising from noncoding translation. I look forward to continuing the discussion at the upcoming keystone symposium on microproteins
“The leaders of the Human Genome Project always knew they were just starting a conversation”
The human genome encodes potentially thousands of tiny proteins that were previously overlooked. The search is on to find out what they do
https://go.nature.com/3CupmSS
The human genome encodes potentially thousands of tiny proteins that were previously overlooked. The search is on to find out what they do
https://go.nature.com/3CupmSS
‘Dark proteins’ hiding in our cells could hold clues to cancer and other diseases
The human genome encodes potentially thousands of tiny proteins that were previously overlooked. The search is on to find out what they do.
go.nature.com
January 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Glad to be in the "conversation" about microproteins and other non-canonical proteins arising from noncoding translation. I look forward to continuing the discussion at the upcoming keystone symposium on microproteins
"Dark proteins." Also known as microproteins. There are thousands of them in our cells and we're still struggling to define their function. Succinctly reviewed @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
‘Dark proteins’ hiding in our cells could hold clues to cancer and other diseases
The human genome encodes potentially thousands of tiny proteins that were previously overlooked. The search is on to find out what they do.
www.nature.com
February 1, 2025 at 4:42 PM
"Dark proteins." Also known as microproteins. There are thousands of them in our cells and we're still struggling to define their function. Succinctly reviewed @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Excited to share our review article "Finding functional microproteins", published in @TrendsGenetics. It was fun writing it together with Alex and @FeiyueYang1 in the lab. #microprotein authors.elsevier.com/a/1kNCscQbJB...
January 2, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Excited to share our review article "Finding functional microproteins", published in @TrendsGenetics. It was fun writing it together with Alex and @FeiyueYang1 in the lab. #microprotein authors.elsevier.com/a/1kNCscQbJB...
TiG's February issue is devoted to microproteins and the small ORFs that encode them.
Check it out!
www.cell.com/trends/genet...
Check it out!
www.cell.com/trends/genet...
February 3, 2025 at 4:37 PM
TiG's February issue is devoted to microproteins and the small ORFs that encode them.
Check it out!
www.cell.com/trends/genet...
Check it out!
www.cell.com/trends/genet...