A set of global biological disciplines that analyze all the components of a biological system (cell, tissue, organism)
Rather than studying a single gene, protein or metabolite, the “omics” aim to map and analyze an entire biological set to understand how elements interact with each other.
Omics | Subject of study | Objective |
Genomics | All genes (DNA) | Identifying genetic variation |
Transcript | All RNAs (gene expression) | Understanding which genes are active and when |
Proteomics | All proteins | Investigate cellular functions and interactions |
Metabolomic | All Metabolites (Small Molecules) | Monitoring the metabolic status of cells |
Epigenetics | Changes in DNA that Regulate Expression | Understanding the Environment’s Influence on Genes |
Lipidomics | All lipids | Exploring the role of fat in the cell |
Microbiomics | All microorganisms in an ecosystem (e.g., intestine) | Understanding the Health Impact of Microbiota |
“omics” approaches are essential for:
- Mapping the complex biological networks of the brain,
- Identify biomarkers of neurological diseases (ALS, Alzheimer, etc.),
- To better understand the interactions between genes, proteins, cells and the environment,
- Develop personalized medicine (neuro-precision).
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- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) :
- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contains all the genetic information, known as the genome, that enables living organisms to develop, function and reproduce.