Chapter 7: Approaches in untargeted metabolomics

by Jacopo Troisi, Sean M. Richards, Giovanni Scala, Annamaria Landolfi

Abstract

An untargeted approach is an intriguing version of metabolomics that could provide several interesting insights into human physiology and diseases. Untargeted metabolomics does not need a priori hypothesis and could characterize biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Moreover, metabolomics profiles could be used to train mathematical algorithms able to make a disease diagnosis. Furthermore, through the description of the complexity of the established relationship among the metabolites, inferences about the diseases’ mechanisms are possible. Despite this great potential, untargeted metabolomics, unlike the targeted approach, is used only in limited clinical applications. In this chapter the usefulness and the principal application of untargeted metabolomics, as well as its principal limitations, key factors, and suggestions for improved clinical implementations are discussed.

Jacopo Troisi

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana” University; Theoreo srl – spin off company of the University of Salerno, Italy; Department of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, Italy

Jacopo Troisi is visiting professor of Metabolomics in both Salerno University and University of Sannio in Italy. He is a Research Scientist and COO at the European Biomedical Research Institute of Salerno (EBRIS), co-founded by the Harvard University and the Salerno Medical School. He is also co-founder and CEO at Theoreo srl, a spin-off company of the University of Salerno. Prof. Troisi research is related to metabolomics. In particular, he studies the metabolomic fingerprint of several human diseases to develop diagnostic tools. He has received several international patents for diagnostic tests based on metabolomic profiling. Dr. Troisi has published widely in such peer reviewed journals as Science, Nature Microbiology, Nature Communications, Frontiers in Immunology, Nutrients, BMC Microbiology, Metabolomics, and Scientific Reports.

Sean M. Richards

Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 37403 - Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology  University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine Chattanooga, TN 37403 

Over the last 25 years Dr. Richards has conducted research on the exposure and effects of multiple toxicants on organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. These toxicants include herbicides, insecticides, pharmaceuticals, Bisphenol A, Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, metals, and Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls. Dr. Richards also has experience with the laws and regulations which govern exposure to toxicants through air, soil, and water. 
Most recently, Dr. Richards has focused on metabolomics.  Specifically,  the alterations of metabolomes in response to toxicants or in populations of humans affected by endometrial cancer, congenital malformations, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and fetal central nervous system anomalies.  The goal of this research is to determine specific biochemical pathways associated with the affected populations. Ultimately, understanding the changes in the metabolome as a result of disease or intoxication can lead to early detection and personalized treatments.

Contact

Giovanni Scala

Theoreo srl – spin off company of the University of Salerno, Italy

Chemist, CTO and cofounder of Theoreo. He deals with the commercial and marketing area. His experience is in the field of advanced analytical technologies, in particular mass spectrometry and chromatographic  separation.  He  coordinates  several  R&D  projects  granted  by  the  European  Union  and managed by Campania Region. These projects deal with mass spectrometry and chromatography applied to various  fields:  metabolomics, diagnostics,  food  farming,  pollution.  From  2006  to  2010  he  collaborated  with  the  GCSAR (General  Commission  for  Scientific  Agriculture  Research,  Ministy  of  Agriculture)  in  Damasco,  in  a  project dealing with oil and olive production. His current research is related to metabolomics. In particular, he studies the metabolomic fingerprint of several human diseases to develop diagnostic tools. He has received several international patents for diagnostic tests based on metabolomic profiling.

Annamaria Landolfi

Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana” University
Theoreo srl – spin off company of the University of Salerno, Italy

Medical doctor, Neurologist. Among her interests, metabolomics and computer-aided diagnosis. Author of several publications in this field: a book chapter about metabolomics in Parkinson’s disease, a review article about machine learning approaches in Parkinson’s Disease, several original papers concerning metabolomic approaches in the characterization of fetal malformations, Parkinson’s Disease, endometrial cancer, hepato-metabolic complications of pediatric obesity.