Wastewater metaproteomics: tracking microbial and human protein biomarkers

This study showcases the application of metaproteomics to generate a comprehensive proteomic profile from municipal wastewater. We developed a streamlined sample preparation protocol and a data-processing pipeline that integrates de novo sequencing to customize large public sequence databases for in-depth metaproteomic analysis. Wastewater samples collected over three months from two urban locations revealed a diverse range of microbes, including common gut bacteria and opportunistic pathogens. Furthermore, approximately 200 human proteins were identified, including potential health and disease biomarkers such as immunoglobulins, uromodulin, and cancer-associated markers.