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Metabolomics in epidemiologic research: challenges and opportunities for early-career epidemiologists

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Abstract

Background

The application of metabolomics to epidemiologic studies is increasing.

Aim of Review

Here, we describe the challenges and opportunities facing early-career epidemiologists aiming to apply metabolomics to their research.

Key Scientific Concepts of Review

Many challenges inherent to metabolomics may provide early-career epidemiologists with the opportunity to play a pivotal role in answering critical methodological questions and moving the field forward. Although generating large-scale high-quality metabolomics data can be challenging, data can be accessed through public databases, collaboration with senior researchers or participation within interest groups. Such efforts may also assist with obtaining funding, provide knowledge on training resources, and help early-career epidemiologists to publish in the field of metabolomics.

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Funding

E.H. van Roekel was financially supported by Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds (WKOF), as part of the World Cancer Research Fund International grant programme (Grant No. 2016/1620) and the GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology. E. Loftfield was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services. R.S. Kelly was supported by a Discovery Award from The US Department of Defense (Grant No. W81XWH-17-1-0533), and a grant from the US NIH (Grant No. 1R01HL123915-01). O.A. Zeleznik was supported by grants from the NIH (Grant Nos. CA087969, CA050385). K.A. Zanetti was supported by the Extramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, Division of Cancer Control and Populations Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, Netherlands

    Eline H. van Roekel

  2. Metabolic Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA

    Erikka Loftfield

  3. Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

    Rachel S. Kelly & Oana A. Zeleznik

  4. Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA

    Krista A. Zanetti

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  1. Eline H. van Roekel
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  2. Erikka Loftfield
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All authors wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Eline H. van Roekel.

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van Roekel, E.H., Loftfield, E., Kelly, R.S. et al. Metabolomics in epidemiologic research: challenges and opportunities for early-career epidemiologists. Metabolomics 15, 9 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-018-1468-z

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