More than 1200 attendees came together at the 3(rd) HUPO World Congess in Beijing, October 25-27, 2004. In numerous different sessions the wide range of proteomic areas became visible. The HUPO Brain Proteome Project (HUPO BPP) organized an evening session on October 23, presenting the first results of two pilot studies as well as the newest, very positive international development in this field. The rising importance became even more apparent in the plenary presentation of all HUPO initiatives and the following congress activities.