Metabolomics is the science of identifying, quantifying, and understanding the small organic molecules present at a given moment in the tissues and fluids of living organisms. These metabolites provide an exceptionally accurate snapshot of biological activity because each molecule is either the product of, or a participant in, a metabolic process. As analytical technologies such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry continue to advance, obtaining metabolomic data is becoming increasingly accessible. The challenge is no longer simply generating these metabolic snapshots, but interpreting them to reveal meaningful biological insights and practical applications. In livestock production, metabolomics is emerging as a powerful tool to support more sustainable and productive systems by improving animal health monitoring, reproductive performance, feed efficiency, meat quality assessment, biomarker discovery, and the development of precision livestock management strategies.
The course Making Metabolomics Matter: Discovering Metabolomics Applications in Animal Science and Sustainable Meat Production, organized at the University of São Paulo, provided participants with a comprehensive introduction to the metabolomics workflow and biological meaning through lectures and hands-on activities, connecting metabolomic information with real-world challenges in livestock production.
UNU-BIOLAC extends its sincere appreciation to Professor Nara Regina Brandão Cônsolo for her leadership in organizing this training activity. Special thanks are also due to Dr. David Wishart and his laboratory at the Metabolomics Innovation Center (TMIC) for their longstanding commitment to knowledge transfer and capacity building across Latin America. Finally, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the University of São Paulo's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ-USP).
