Metabolomic Approaches to Study Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms and Diagnosis

Metabolomics is considered the third piece in the “omic” triad.  Genomics defines the genes responsible for protein expression.  Proteomics defines the proteins expressed in a cell. However, the function of a cell is governed by how genes and proteins communicate via small molecules which make up the metabolome.  Metabolomics, whether based in mass spec or NMR approaches, has proven to be a powerful approach to define the functional state of a cell or an organism.  In general metabolomics has been successfully employed to either uncover mechanisms of a system (using a systems biology approach) or to define metabolomic patterns to be used as biomarkers of disease.  In this symposium, we will highlight investigators who use metabolomics to study the cardiovascular system and/or the metabolic syndrome.  The target audiences are basic scientists and clinicians seeking to understand the complexity of cardiovascular disease and to seek biomarkers for cardiovascular disease.  Since metabolomics is a new field still in need of standards, future directions will be an key part of all talks.  Scheduled speakers are Chris Newgard, Dan Beard, Chris Hardin, and Henri Brunegrabber.