Metabolomic Analysis with Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

All organisms contain a finite set of genes. However, the expression of these genes under varying developmental and environmental conditions results in an almost infinite number of possible phenotypes. To properly study and understand an organism we need to know more than its genetic identity (i.e. its genome) and how its genome responds to developmental and environmental challenges. We need to know how these responses either benefit or harm the organism. To study properly the events leading to, and the effects resulting from, the expression of a gene we need to be able to characterize the corresponding phenotypic changes in an objective and quantifiable manner. Metabolomics is the science of phenotype analysis through the measurement of the small molecules (metabolites) that interact with, are used by, and are created by, the functionally active proteins of a biological system.