Omic Sciences: New Horizons in Food Allergy
Omic Sciences: New Horizons in Food Allergy
Another contribution to food allergy from the -omic sciences is offered by metabolomics. This term, by analogy to the term genome, indicates 'the total amount of small-molecule metabolites found in or produced by an organism'. By these techniques, we realize that the majority of metabolites in our body fluids are not synthesized by enzymes encoded in our DNA, but come from foods or are generated by host-specific microbes.
As result of the genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic activities of the organism, in addition to its microbiome and its nutritional sources, the metabolome represents the chemical processes of a living organism in real time. The development of this new -omic science is made possible by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Thus far, metabolomic studies are underway in the field of asthma and atopic dermatitis. One of the more interesting findings from metabolomics is the identification of a metabolic fingerprint for celiac disease, indicative of malabsorption, alterations in energy metabolism, and alterations in gut microflora and/or intestinal permeability. For food allergy, a metabolomics approach has been recently targeted to identify metabolites relevant to the development of peanut allergy. In mice sensitized to peanut proteins, alarmins, and in particular uric acid were identified as critical mediators of allergy development.
Metabolomics and Food Allergy
Another contribution to food allergy from the -omic sciences is offered by metabolomics. This term, by analogy to the term genome, indicates 'the total amount of small-molecule metabolites found in or produced by an organism'. By these techniques, we realize that the majority of metabolites in our body fluids are not synthesized by enzymes encoded in our DNA, but come from foods or are generated by host-specific microbes.
As result of the genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic activities of the organism, in addition to its microbiome and its nutritional sources, the metabolome represents the chemical processes of a living organism in real time. The development of this new -omic science is made possible by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Thus far, metabolomic studies are underway in the field of asthma and atopic dermatitis. One of the more interesting findings from metabolomics is the identification of a metabolic fingerprint for celiac disease, indicative of malabsorption, alterations in energy metabolism, and alterations in gut microflora and/or intestinal permeability. For food allergy, a metabolomics approach has been recently targeted to identify metabolites relevant to the development of peanut allergy. In mice sensitized to peanut proteins, alarmins, and in particular uric acid were identified as critical mediators of allergy development.
