Proteome analysis has emerged as a new field of protein science offering the possibility of achieving unbiased identification, quantification and functional assessment of all proteins and peptides present in biological samples. Proteomics technologies are being used with increased frequency in the renal community. In this article we aim to highlight investigations in basic renal research and in clinical nephrology making use of recent developments in proteomic methods. Several examples are presented of how proteomics may be helpful to nephrology and affect possible future directions in kidney research.