Purpose of review: The field of metabolomics is extending the principles of genomics into cellular and organism metabolism and driving a revolution in lipid biochemistry, physiology and nutrition. Lipids studied using metabolomic approaches – lipidomics – are an ideal subject for metabolomic measurements.
Recent findings: Lipids are small molecules that share common physical and chemical properties as a class, whose presence and abundance are key to much of metabolic regulation, from subcellular compartments to whole body energy control and signaling. Furthermore, by measuring changes in lipid concentrations, scientists are gaining a more detailed understanding of biochemistry and thus annotating genomes, but also understanding genetic polymorphisms and the postgenetic effects induced by drugs, foods and toxins.
Summary: Although in its infancy – there are fewer than 200 total articles on lipidomics and metabolomics focusing on lipids – the field of metabolomics is beginning to deliver on its promise to revolutionize lipid and metabolic disease research.