METABOLOMICSMETABOLOMICSMETABOLOMICSMETABOLOMICS: : : : METABOLOMICSMETABOLOMICSMETABOLOMICSMETABOLOMICS: : : :

OPPORTUNITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND

CHALLENGESCHALLENGESCHALLENGESCHALLENGESPR. PR. PR. PR. NOUREDINENOUREDINENOUREDINENOUREDINE BENKEBLIABENKEBLIABENKEBLIABENKEBLIA

UWI JAMAICAUWI JAMAICAUWI JAMAICAUWI JAMAICA

Metabolomics

DISCIPLINE or METHODS to understand the

dynamics of small molecules in living systems

METABOLOMIC PROFILING aims to ““““complete?””””set of all metabolites (primary, intermediate and set of all metabolites (primary, intermediate and

secondary) to be found within a biological

sample, such as an organism, cell or organelle

METABOLOME is dynamic, changing from second to

second. Thus, setting becomes more complex and

never complete.

Stimulated by the opportunities affordedby:

# Post-genomic science

# Analytical technologies

# Data processing techniques# Data processing techniques

These are being developed in order togenerate more comprehensive moleculardescriptions of biological systems (the‘‘‘‘metabolome’’’’).

1 Protein(Proteomic)

1 Gene(Genomic)

1 Transcript (Transcriptomic)

Specific MetabolitesMetabolomic

DNA Relational Databases

Store, Compare, Cluster and IntegrateDNA

Sequence Database

Store, Compare, Cluster and Integrate

Correlations of Genes and Gene Products Identification of Gene

FunctionGene Annotation Identification of Pathways

Biological Knowledge, Raw Foods Improvement Improvement, Genetic and metabolic Engineering

Metabolomics Technologies: a Revolution! Unlimited measurements / analysis

Classical Biology

Contemporary Biology

HYPOTHESISFocused

ExperimentQuestion

Contemporary Biology

Applied GenomicsExperiment

Bioinformatics

HYPOTHESISFocused

Experiment

Question

Thousands of measurements of compounds simultaneously

Sample

Salts/IonicsCarbohydratesAmino Acids

PhenolicsFlavonoidsSaponins

LipidsTerpens

Chemical Class

H2O CH3OH CHCl3

Amino AcidsOrganic Acids

SaponinsPolar Organics

Terpens

CE-MSHPLC-PAD-MS

GC-MS

HPLC-PAD-MSGC-MS

GC-MS

Chemical Class

Ana

lytica

l Pr

ocedur

e

Using Bioinformatics which includes:

- Database Management Systems - Data mining (Extraction & Transformation) - Samples tracking

Data Analysis and Modeling using

Computational Approaches

- Samples tracking - Information management - Data Acquisition - Data Analysis - Statistics - Signal and Image Processing - Pattern Recognition and Classification - Simulation and Modeling

Agricultural Metabolomics

Aims to encourage application of metabolomics-

inspired approaches, to improve understanding

of the molecular basis for agricultural production.

Aims also to:

# Identify those small molecules that make the

The promotion of sustainable cropping leads to

the improving quantity and quality of crops

# Identify those small molecules that make the

difference between the effects of different factors# Deepen our knowledge of cropping and the

interacting and regulatory roles of biotic and

abiotic stresses.

What Are The Needs?

Societal Needs

• Improve education on Sustainable

ConsumersNeeds

Science Needs

• Agricutural systems biololgySustainable

Cropping• Extend

University Programs along Crop production

• Measures of Trust

• Crops Quality• Crops Diversity• Health benefits

Life stage

systems biololgy• bioinformatics• Fuse Crops,

Metabolome, and Human Needs

Metabolomics and Food CropsMetabolomics and Food Crops

The numbers of different moleculesin the FOOD CROPS that are notnutrients outweigh the numbers thatare nutrients.

For example, plants accumulateFor example, plants accumulatesecondary metabolites for defense,reproduction, but none of these areessential nutrients.

Crops contributions to Nutrition

GenomeMacronutrient energySources

Essential micronutrients

Transcriptome

Proteome

Metabolome

micronutrients

Non-essential, beneficial dietary components

Metabolically neutral dietary components

Biological Function

Nutrients NonNutrients

CROPS

FOODS SUPPLEMETS Man-MADE PHYTOCHEMICALS

Contaminants

Potential Challenges of Application of Metabolomics in Crops Production

1- Consideration of the chemical composition

during pre- and post- harvest stages

2- Identification of effects of crops linked to

nutritional benefits.

3- Characterisation of the molecular basis for

sensory (e.g., taste, aroma) perception from

complex foods.

4- Tracking of complex molecular changes that

take place during post-harvest and processing

where these are important in final quality.

5- Definition of genetic and/or environmental

factors affecting crop and livestock metabolomes, factors affecting crop and livestock metabolomes,

linked with food quality parameters.

Thus, dietary non-nutrients, which may not be important in pharmacology or

toxicology, may be critically important in human dietary studies that seek to use

metabolomics.

The major consensus decision for the field of nutritional metabolomics will be

how to address endogenous human metabolites and exogenous components of food that coexist at least transiently in

human biofluids.