metabolomics
/ˌmɛtəbəˈlɒmɪks/
Definition
The comprehensive scientific study of the entire set of metabolites—small molecules like sugars, lipids, and amino acids—present within a biological system at a specific time.
Etymology
The term is a hybrid formed by combining 'metabolism' (from the Greek 'metabole', meaning 'change') with the suffix '-omics' (denoting a comprehensive, large-scale field of study). It emerged in the early 21st century to describe the holistic analysis of metabolic pathways in an organism.
In the news
In the article, researchers used metabolomics to analyze gut health in astronauts, specifically discovering that spaceflight leads to changes in microbial protein fermentation. This data helps scientists understand how the physical stresses of space travel impact human physiological processes.
NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,206 2 July 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)
Read the full article ↗Astrobiology Web