Transforming Biological Discovery: How has multiomic integration changed the way we explore biology?
The scientific community has invested billions of dollars in understanding the blueprints of biology through genetics, and that work has generated extraordinary insight. At the same time, there is still much we do not fully understand, from gene function to which variants are benign and which are truly pathogenic.
From my perspective, multiomic integration has changed biology by connecting those blueprints to functional reality. In particular, combining genomics with metabolomics helps distinguish causal biology from correlative signals by linking genetic variation to measurable downstream biochemical effects. That makes it possible to better define gene function, understand the impact of mutations, and gain a more complete view of how biological systems are operating.
This integration also gives us a stronger ability to separate the effects of genes from the effects of environment and exposure — what many would think of as nature versus nurture. Multiomics, especially genomics and metabolomics, provides a powerful framework for understanding both the design of biology and the real-time consequences of its function or dysfunction.
Why is metabolomics essential to understanding biological systems?
In many ways, I think of metabolomics as functional biology. It captures the success or failure of the many processes required for a biological system to function properly.
It is not enough to know that a mutation exists in a gene. We also need to know whether that mutation has a meaningful biological effect. Metabolomics helps answer that question by revealing whether the compounds or pathways associated with that gene are actually perturbed. If there is no downstream biochemical effect, the mutation may be benign. If there is a clear metabolic consequence, then the mutation is likely functionally important.
The same principle applies more broadly across biology. A protein may be present at higher levels, but that does not necessarily mean it is active or performing its intended role. Metabolomics allows us to assess function directly by measuring the reactants and products associated with that activity. In that way, metabolomics helps connect the many layers of biology and provides a uniquely integrative view of system-wide function.
How do diverse scientific perspectives improve complex data interpretation?
A wide range of factors, including genetics, exposure, diet, exercise, and other lifestyle influences, shape health and disease. That level of complexity cannot be fully understood through a single scientific lens.
In my experience, the best way to interpret complex biological data is to bring together experts with different perspectives and areas of specialization. Nutritionists, geneticists, pharmacologists, technologists, and informaticians each contribute critical pieces of understanding. It is through integrating those perspectives that we can begin to disentangle the interconnected influences that drive biology, health, and disease.
There are many examples where this interdisciplinary approach is essential. Even among individuals with the same known genetic risk factor, outcomes can differ dramatically. Understanding why requires more than one type of expertise. It requires scientists who can collectively evaluate genetics, biology, exposure, and context. Only by bringing together knowledge across disciplines can we move closer to understanding the whole system rather than isolated parts.
Where do you see the greatest opportunity for multiomic discovery in the next five years?
I see metabolomics as one of the most holistic readouts of functional biology. It has a unique ability to establish gene function, clarify the effects of mutations, and determine whether proteins are performing their biological roles. Upregulation of a protein does not automatically imply increased activity, and metabolomics can help distinguish between them by showing whether the relevant biochemical pathways are actually changing.
One of the greatest opportunities ahead is the convergence of metabolomics with large-scale genetic data, particularly in fields such as cancer and obesity research. In cancer, this combination can help us move more quickly from large numbers of observed mutations to a clearer understanding of which ones have phenotypic impact. That can support better patient stratification and more informed target selection. In obesity and metabolic health, integrating genomics and metabolomics offers a new way to capture the interplay among inherited susceptibility, lifestyle, and environmental exposures.
These are not simply esoteric scientific questions. They are directly connected to how we improve our understanding of human health and identify the most meaningful paths toward care. This work has the potential to rapidly focus attention on the most important pathogenic influences, whether genetic, environmental, lifestyle-driven, or a combination of all three. It is science with the power to shift treatment, improve wellness, and create real change within our lifetime.
What does “From Molecules to Medicine” mean to you in the context of multiomic exploration?
To me, “From Molecules to Medicine” means translating deep biological insight into meaningful improvements in human health. Multiomic exploration enables us to connect molecular changes to mechanisms, functions, diseases, and, ultimately, clinical impact. It reflects the idea that the better we understand biology at its most fundamental levels, the better positioned we are to improve diagnosis, treatment, and care.
What advice would you give women pursuing interdisciplinary science careers?
Interdisciplinary science is both demanding and incredibly rewarding. It requires curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to learn across boundaries. My advice would be to embrace that complexity, because many of the most important advances happen at the intersection of disciplines.
It is also important to stay connected to the broader purpose of the work. Science and healthcare can be challenging, and progress is not always easy or linear. But when you keep sight of the impact this work can have on real people, it becomes easier to stay motivated. Through dedication, collaboration, and confidence in the value of your perspective, you can help advance science that is not only innovative but truly life-changing.
