Comprehensive Metabolic Analysis for Understanding of Disease

Christopher B. Newgard, Robert D. Stevens, Brett R. Wenner, Shawn C. Burgess, Olga Ilkayeva, Michael J. Muehlbauer, A. Dean Sherry, James R. Bain

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Comprehensive measurement of intermediary metabolites and changes in metabolic activity lead to the improved detection and understanding of diseases. Metabolomics is increasingly getting integrated with genomic and transcriptomic profiling methods. This chapter describes current methodologies for metabolic profiling and flux analysis and discusses the instrumentation for measurement of large groups of intermediary metabolites as well as computational methods for analyzing such data. Instrumentation for measurement of large groups of intermediary metabolites as well as computational methods for analyzing such data are emerging. This surge in development of metabolomics technologies confers a number of potential advantages for disease research. Human beings contain approximately 5000 discrete small molecule metabolites, far less than the estimate of 25,000 genes and 100,000 proteins. This makes metabolomics the most tractable of the "omics" sciences. It also measures changes in metabolic or chemical milieu that are downstream of genomic and proteomic alterations, potentially providing the most integrated picture of biological status. Further, the identification of metabolic fingerprints for specific diseases has practical utility for development of therapies because metabolic changes immediately suggest enzymatic drug targets. Thus, metabolomics is likely to be a powerful and precise tool for discerning mechanisms of action and possible toxicological effects of drug therapies. © 2010

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEssentials of Genomic and Personalized Medicine
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages97-107
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)9780123749345
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comprehensive Metabolic Analysis for Understanding of Disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this