Precision mapping of the metabolome

摘要

The global study of the structure and dynamics of metabolic networks has been hindered by a lack of techniques that identify metabolites and their biochemical relationship in complex mixtures.The recent application of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS)to metabolomic analysis suggests a way to tackle the problem.A lower-cost alternative to high-field FTICR-MS,the Orbitrap mass analyzer,promises accelerated activity in this area.Here,we show how the ultra-high mass accuracy and resolution provided by this new generation of mass spectrometers can help to identify metabolites and connect them into metabolic networks.Data from perturbation studies and isotope-tracking experiments can complement this information to create metabolic maps de novo and chart unexplored areas of metabolism.