Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Multi-step Preparation Technique to Recover Multiple Metabolite Compound Classes for In-depth and Informative Metabolomic Analysis
Published on: July 11, 2014
Meeting-in-the-middle using metabolic profiling - a strategy for the identification of intermediate biomarkers in
Marc Chadeau-Hyam1, Toby J Athersuch, Hector C Keun
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Background:
Predictive disease risk biomarkers that can be linked to exposure have proved difficult to identify in case-control studies.
Methods:
Parallel statistical analysis of the correlation between (1)H NMR profiles from plasma samples collected before disease onset (EPIC cohort), versus exposure to dietary compounds, and follow-up disease endpoints (colon and breast cancer) was performed.
Results:
Metabonomic signatures associated with colon cancer and dietary fiber intake (a protective factor according to epidemiological studies) were identified.
Conclusion:
This implementation of the novel "meet-in-the-middle" analytical strategy indicates how case-control studies nested in prospectively collected cohorts may reveal intermediate biomarkers linking exposure and disease.
