[Bioclusters] Metabolomics applications?

bioclusters@bioinformatics.org bioclusters@bioinformatics.org
Tue, 1 Jun 2004 21:12:21 -0500


Jay:  Well, I read your request with interest.  Something along the lines of your interest might be a relatively new group of established investigators set up to study phospholipid metabolism in macrophages,
http://www.lipidmaps.org
  The goal is apparently to characterize all lipids in the cell as well as those generated uniquely as part of its function and then to define/refine the various metabolic pathways and various interrelationships.
   From an IT perspective I assume that the data collection i.e. a lot of LC/MS, will be massive etc and so you have the usual data accumulation problem.  I understand that the group intends to make all data available for public access etc so you will have the generation of new platforms for presentation and distribution of data.  
   The metabolome has been sort of skewed towards the DNA/RNA/protein side of things (see this web site for instance!)and hopefully projects such as this will level the playing field a bit for the many aspects of metabolism that are also of considerable interest and importance.
Regards, D. Purdon
PS.  Beware that everyone seems to be jumping on the "omic" bandwagon these days. I mean after the genome wars aren't we just getting back to good old biochemistry and physiology with a new shot in the arm from new perspectives recently generated?
    
> 
> From: "Jay Owen" <jay.owen@comcast.net>
> Date: 2004/06/01 Tue PM 07:34:20 CDT
> To: <bioclusters@bioinformatics.org>
> Subject: [Bioclusters] Metabolomics applications?
> 
> I'm doing some initial academic research on tools used for metabolomics (definitions vary, basically described as the analysis of small-molecule metabolites present in cells in a particular physiological or developmental state).  It is complementary to proteomics and transcriptomics.
> 
> I am wondering two things.  First, are there any emerging tools or applications that are generally associated with this field of biochemistry?   Second, assuming applications exist, are there any implications for the IT platforms to support these applications ?  
> 
> Any pointers to interesting web sites or personal insights would be appreciated.
> 
> thanks,
> 
> Jay
>