Metabolomics is a field of study that analyzes the small molecules and metabolites in biological systems. Its spelling is based on the Greek word "metabolē," meaning change or exchange. The word begins with the /m/ sound, followed by the /ɛ/ sound as in "bed" and the stress is on the second syllable, /bɒl/ (British English) or /bəl/ (American English). The suffix "-omics" indicates the comprehensive analysis of a particular subject, such as the study of genes in genomics or proteins in proteomics.
Metabolomics is a branch of science that focuses on the comprehensive study of metabolites, which are the small molecules produced by various biochemical processes in living organisms. It involves the systematic identification, quantification, and analysis of these metabolites present in a biological system. Metabolomics aims to understand the intricate network of chemical reactions that occur within cells, tissues, organs, and organisms, providing valuable insights into their metabolic state and overall functioning.
This field employs advanced analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and chromatography to measure and profile metabolites in different biological samples. By comparing the metabolic profiles of healthy and diseased individuals or experimental and control groups, metabolomics can reveal patterns, trends, and associations with specific physiological conditions or disease states.
Metabolomics has extensive applications in various scientific disciplines, including medicine, biology, pharmacology, nutrition, and environmental science. In medical research, it can assist in disease diagnosis, monitoring treatment responses, and identifying potential biomarkers for early detection. In drug development, metabolomics helps to understand drug metabolism, toxicity, and efficacy. In the field of nutrition, it aids in understanding the effects of dietary interventions on metabolism and health outcomes. Additionally, metabolomics contributes to ecological studies, environmental monitoring, and the optimization of industrial processes.
Overall, metabolomics plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of the complexity of biological systems and holds great promise for improving human health, personalized medicine, and biosystems engineering.
The word "metabolomics" is composed of two parts: "metabol" and "omics".
1. "Metabol" is derived from the Greek word "metabolē", which means "change" or "transformation". It is related to the Greek verb "metaballein", which means "to change" or "to alter".
2. "-omics" is a suffix that was coined in the 1990s to refer to the study of a particular field of biological science. It comes from the field of genomics, which focuses on the study of genes and their functions. The suffix "-omics" was derived from the word "genome".
Therefore, "metabolomics" refers to the comprehensive study of all the metabolites (small molecules involved in metabolic reactions) within a biological system at a given point in time.