On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the Korean Human Proteome Organization(KHUPO), it is my great pleasure to welcome all the speakers and participants from the different part of the world and Korea. This will mark the 4th Annual Meeting of KHUPO and focus on the theme, “New Trends in Functional Proteomics and HUPO Initiatives” I am very much confident that this meeting will be a useful vehicle for disseminating information and knowledge pertaining to the human proteome project, which are now well underway under the leadership of directors of each initiative. For this meeting, major leaders of HUPO Initiatives and distinguished scientists were invited and their presentations will provide an excellent opportunity to introduce the current status of HUPO initiatives. This meeting will also help us jump one big step towards the development of proteomics core technology and cooperation among the scientists in this field.

Although proteomics is at an early growth phase with respect to technology, training and infrastructure in Korea, we will continue working towards our ultimate goals to map and elucidate all human proteome, to understand mechanisms whereby many proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of human disease.

Finally, KHUPO wishes to be the key part of world proteome societies and will continue to function in its unique role under the auspices of HUPO. I hope that 4th Annual KHUPO Conference serves as a major communication vehicle for the high-quality research of proteome scientists between Korea and the rest of the world..

Thank you,