Plant Metabolomics: The Missing Link in Functional Genomics Strategies

Abstract

After the establishment of technologies for high-throughput DNA sequencing (genomics), gene expression analysis (transcriptomics), and protein analysis (proteomics), the remaining functional genomics challenge is that of metabolomics. Metabolomics is the term coined for essentially comprehensive, nonbiased, high-throughput analyses of complex metabolite mixtures typical of plant extracts. This potentially holistic approach to metabolome analysis is driven primarily by recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS) technology and by the goals of functional genomics research. Achieving the broadest overview of metabolic composition is very complex and entails establishing a multifaceted, fully integrated strategy for optimal sample extraction, metabolite separation/detection/identification, automated data gathering/handling/analysis, and, ultimately, quantification. Both analytical and computational developments are essential to achieve this goal. The First International Congress on Plant Metabolomics was held in Wageningen, The Netherlands, in April 2002, with the primary goal of bringing together those players who are already active in this field and those who soon plan to be. In so doing, opportunities are created for collaboration, overlap can be avoided, and joint strategies can be determined to meet the metabolomics challenge. Indexed abstracts from the oral and poster presentations at the meeting are now accessible at www. metabolomics.nl, and this site will continue to be used as an aid to information exchange and enhanced collaboration.