metaboliittijoukon

Metaboliittijoukon is a Finnish term that translates to "metabolite set" or "metabolome" in English. It refers to the complete collection of small molecules and their metabolic products found within a biological sample, such as a cell, tissue, or organism, at a specific point in time. This encompasses a wide range of chemical compounds, including sugars, amino acids, lipids, nucleotides, and various intermediate and end products of metabolic pathways.

The study of metabolome, known as metabolomics, aims to identify and quantify these metabolites to gain insights into the physiological and biochemical state of a biological system. Changes in the metabolome can reflect alterations in gene expression, protein activity, and environmental influences. Therefore, analyzing a metabolite set can provide valuable information about normal biological processes, disease states, and responses to external stimuli like drugs or diet.

Metabolomics employs various analytical techniques, such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, to detect and measure the diverse array of metabolites. By comparing metabolome profiles between different conditions, researchers can identify biomarkers associated with specific diseases or predict the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Understanding the metabolite set is crucial for advancing our knowledge of biological complexity and for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.