MEtabolon Blog

Metabolomics gives us valuable methods to compare preclinical model trials to human models of NASH. In this post, we share a case study with Gilead Sciences. More study is needed, but metabolomics may one day prove to outperform more invasive methods of assessing liver fibrosis, revealing opportunities to incorporate metabolomics into diagnostic tools.

Researchers continue to mine the genome for clues that assist in understanding susceptibility to disease, selection of targets for combating disease, and the biomarkers indicating response. Surprisingly, though, a fast and valuable source of data that can either lead or strengthen this pursuit is not always part of the equation.

A new study showed the potentially negative impact of the widely used, over-the-counter drug acetaminophen (paracetamol) on sex hormones, which has significant implications for reproductive health. It also highlights the power of genomic and metabolomic profiling to better understand drug mechanisms of action and metabolism even in common drugs such as acetaminophen.

Why do some people respond to a cancer therapy and some do not? While cancer is a genetic disease, response to therapy is not as systematic or clear-cut as simply matching a mutation to treatment. Other factors are clearly involved. Recent work in both mice and humans suggests that one answer may involve the microbiome.