Utility of separation science in metabolomic studies

• Published in: Journal of separation science Vol. 31; no. 11; pp. 1936 - 1947
• Main Authors: Issaq, Haleem J, Abbott, Eric, Veenstra, Timothy D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley-VCH Verlag 01.06.2008; WILEY-VCH Verlag; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - analysis; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; Chromatography; Disease biomarkers; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Mass Spectrometry; Medical sciences; Metabolism; Metabolites; Metabolomics; Metabonomics; Miscellaneous. Technology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Human; Biological fluid; Metabolomics; Chemical analysis; Capillary electrophoresis; Metabolite; HPLC chromatography; Biological marker; Patient; Review; Normal; Chromatography; Supercritical fluid chromatography; Gas chromatography; Tissue; Analysis method; Metabolites; Metabonomics; Clinical biology; Disease biomarkers
• ISSN: 1615-9306; 1615-9314
• DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200700601

Metabolomics, or alternately metabonomics, an emerging field of biochemical research, is a complementary technique to genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Direct quantitative measurements of metabolite expressions in urine, serum, plasma, and tissue are essential for the study of biological processes in normal and disease states. Since the number of metabolites in a biological sample is large separation science plays an important role in metabolomic research. This review describes the role of GC, HPLC, CE, and supercritical fluid chromatography in metabolomic research. The application of each technique is discussed and its advantages and limitations are discussed with selective illustrative examples.