Metabolomics is based on the simultaneous analysis of multiple low molecular weight metabolites from a given sample. The goal of metabolomics is the qualitative and quantitative analysis of a large number of small molecules found in biological fluids under different conditions. Metabolomics represents the collection of all metabolites in a biological organism, and metabolic profiling can provide an instantaneous "snapshot" of the cell's physiology. There is indeed quantifiable correlation between the metabolome and the other cellular ensembles (genome, transcriptome, proteome, and lipidome), which can be used to predict metabolite abundances such as mRNA abundances. One of the ultimate challenges of systems biology is integrating metabolomics with all other omics information to provide a better understanding of cellular biology.
Metabolomics Techniques
There are two issues to be addressed for metabolites analysis: separation techniques and detection techniques.
Initially, analytes in a metabolomic sample comprise a highly complex mixture. This complex mixture can be simplified by separating some analytes prior to detection. Separation techniques of metabolites mainly include the following.
- Gas chromatography (GC)
- Capillary electrophoresis (CE)
- High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
The detection of metabolites is performed after the separation, detection techniques of metabolites mainly include the following:
- Mass spectrometry (MS)
- Ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS）
- Electrochemical detection (coupled to HPLC)
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
Statistical Methods of Metabolomics
The data produced by metabolomics need to be collated and analyzed by appropriate statistical methods. Statistical methods of metabolomics mainly include linear models, random forest, multivariate statistics, support-vector machines, projection to latent structures (PLS) regression and others.
Applications of Metabolomics
Applications of metabolomics include, but are not limited to the following[1].
Functional genomics
Metabolomics can be an excellent tool for determining the phenotype caused by genetic manipulation, such as gene deletion or insertion.
Toxicity assessment
Metabolomics can be used to assess the physiological changes caused by toxic insult of a chemical or mixture of chemicals.
Drug discovery
Metabolomics can be used to ensure drug safety through toxicological analysis during the drug discovery.
Crop improvement
Metabolomics can improve crop quality by assessing the difference in metabolite content between individual plants.
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Reference
- Gomase, V.S.; et al. Metabolomics. Current Drug Metabolism. 2008, 9: 89-98.
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