4 replies to this topic

[manofsan]

Metabolomics is the new phrase on cutting-edge research:

http://www.techrevie...948,305,p1.html

Seems to make sense as the next step in progression towards Systems Biology.

While designing full-fledged new organisms may be more fiction than fact right now, the critical stepping stone of Metabolomics takes things beyond the previous steps of Proteomics and Genomics. Metabolomics may be poised to become the next major way to achieve cheaper production of complex pharmaceuticals derived from plants.

Hey wolfram, if you're worried that Systems Biology is still too underdeveloped and on the drawing boards to be practically useful or to base a career upon, perhaps you should consider aiming squarely at Metabolomics. Could be a way to keep within the mainstream flow of industry, and still keep immortalism within your grasp.

[olaf.larsson]

I dont really see a difference between metabolomics and systems biology.
Would you explain it the difference to me? Thank you for the article by the way.

[manofsan]

I feel that Systems Biology goes beyond mere metabolism, but ultimately to the morphology, form and functionality relative to the organism's environment and engineered purpose. For Systems Biology, the sky's the limit. Metabolomics however, in my opinion, is only concerned with the molecular biology of the metabolism. As such, it seems to be more focused on what life-extension research needs. The only way Systems Biology would give you more, is if you wanted to design a better-shaped heart valve, or skeleto-musculature, or to improve upon the wiring arrangement in the brain, etc.

From what I've seen of life-extension research and interest, it seems to concern itself with the metabolic aspects of aging, and not about how to change the shape of your heart valve to make it last longer, or how to improve the structure of the kidneys for better filtration, or how to better wire your brain to allow you to retain more in your old age, etc, etc.

Edited by manofsan, 03 December 2005 - 05:04 AM.

[olaf.larsson]

OK I have read something about the terminology. Systems Biology tries to integrate all "..omics" metabolomics, proteomics, genomics etc. into one integrity.
And thus is at the highest complexity level. "Metabolomics" gives only 243 hits on pubmed in total.

[spiritus]

Creating new forms of life. Mind boggling.