If I have a hypothetical protein in my genome sequence (bacterial genome sequence) and I want to do a lab study (not silico analysis) to validate this protein, what are the basics steps to goal? (For example an ABC transporter).
The steps depend on what you know about the hypothetical protein. Does it have a predicted function based on homology? Is it a conserved hypothetical with no known function?
Is the gene expressed? A simple qPCR or a reporter gene will tell you this.
Does the protein accumulate? Can you detect it with a western blot where you expect to find it based on its predicted function?