Metabolome
Metabolomics is a rapidly developing field that has emerged as an important component of systems biology, following genomics and proteomics. While genomics and proteomics explore life’s activities at the level of genes and proteins, many cellular processes are actually related to metabolites, such as cell signaling and energy transfer, which are regulated by metabolites. Metabolomics is the study of metabolites – the collection of all metabolites in a cell at a particular moment. While gene and protein expression are closely related, metabolites reflect more closely the cell’s environment, which is closely related to its nutritional status, drug and environmental pollutant effects, and other external factors. Therefore, Bill Lasley (UC Davis) believes that genomics and proteomics can explain potential events, while metabolomics reflects what has actually happened.
Metabolomics has wide and important applications in scientific fields such as safety evaluation of new drugs, toxicology, physiology, early diagnosis of major diseases, personalized treatment, functional genomics, modernization of traditional Chinese medicine, environmental assessment, and nutrition. It is a vibrant discipline with great potential. The number of relevant SCI papers published in recent years reflects the booming development of metabolomics research. The amount of related research funding allocated in recent years also indicates the importance attached to metabolomics research. Check out my website for more information on metabolomics!
