This detailed volume explores state-of-the-art methods for the identification, quantification, and characterization of microbial proteins. Split into five parts, the content addresses global sample preparation and protein enrichment, subcellular fractionation, protein quantification, analysis of post-translational protein modifications, as well as metaproteomics, a relatively new branch of microbial proteomics that investigates the proteins of all microbes comprising an environmental consortium. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tipson troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.