The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) Link
The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) is an open-access, Sweden-based research initiative launched in 2003 to map the expression, localization, and function of all human proteins across cells, tissues, and organs. The Human Protein Atlas is a cornerstone global resource for understanding human biology at molecular, cellular, and systems levels. By integrating antibody-based imaging, mass-spectrometry proteomics, transcriptomics, and systems biology, HPA provides a comprehensive, genome-wide view of the human proteome for researchers in academia and industry. HPA is hosted at SciLifeLab, recognized as a Global Core Biodata Resource, and designated by ELIXIR as a European core life-science resource. The project is primarily funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. All datasets, images, and analytical tools are freely accessible.
Core Resources of the Human Protein Atlas
The Human Protein Atlas is organized into nine interconnected resources, each focusing on a specific biological dimension:
Maps protein and mRNA expression across normal human tissues and organs, enabling analysis of tissue specificity, expression clusters, and single-cell localization using immunohistochemistry and RNA-seq data.
Explores regional and cell-type-specific protein expression in the human, pig, and mouse brain, integrating RNA sequencing, in situ hybridization, and antibody-based imaging to support cross-species and functional comparisons.
Provides single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomic profiles across human tissues, including immune and brain cell types. It enables identification of cell-type-specific genes, expression clusters, and spatial protein validation.
Defines the subcellular localization of proteins across major organelles using high-resolution immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, including analyses of cell-cycle dependency and single-cell variability.
Links protein and mRNA expression to patient survival outcomes across multiple cancer types, integrating immunohistochemistry, mass spectrometry, and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses.
Characterizes the human plasma proteome and disease-associated blood protein signatures using antibody-based assays, aptamer platforms, and targeted mass spectrometry across dozens of disease states.
Profiles gene expression in over 1,200 human cell lines, identifying cancer-specific expression patterns and optimal in-vitro models for cancer research.
Presents predicted 3D structures for nearly all human proteins and isoforms using AlphaFold, with visualization of functional domains, antigen sites, and clinically relevant genetic variants.
Maps protein–protein and metabolic interaction networks, integrating experimental interaction data with expression, localization, and AlphaFold-based 3D structural predictions.
Metabolic Network Resource
In addition to the core atlases, HPA includes a Metabolic Resource that places proteins within curated human metabolic pathways, linking molecular function with tissue-specific gene expression and cellular compartments.
The Human Protein Atlas is very useful as:
- It enables functional interpretation of genes and proteins
- Supports biomedical, cancer, and drug-discovery research
- Bridges omics data with spatial and structural biology
- Serves as a foundational resource for systems biology and precision medicine
Complete Protein Analysis Workflow
From sequence to structure to expression and disease
- UniProt tells you what the protein is.
- PDB and AlphaFold show how it is built.
- Human Protein Atlas shows where it works in the body.
Protein Resource Mapping
| Resource | Core Question Answered |
|---|---|
| UniProt | What is this protein and what does it do? |
| PDB | What does this protein look like experimentally? |
| AlphaFold | What is the predicted 3D structure when no crystal structure exists? |
| Human Protein Atlas | Where is this protein expressed in the body, cells, and diseases? |