The future of metabolomics in ELIXIR

Area of Science:

• Metabolomics
• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Metabolomics is a rapidly growing omics field with significant European research and infrastructure development.
• A strategic workshop convened ELIXIR representatives, the PhenoMeNal consortium, and international experts to focus on European metabolomics infrastructure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To coordinate and strategize infrastructure development for metabolomics in Europe.
• To identify critical areas for computational metabolomics and data management to have maximal impact.
• To propose a new ELIXIR metabolomics Use Case aligned with existing ELIXIR Platforms and Use Cases.

Main Methods:

• A one-day strategic workshop was organized involving key stakeholders in European metabolomics.
• Discussions focused on mapping community needs to ELIXIR Platforms and identifying priority Use Cases.
• The workshop identified metabolite identification as a critical area for computational advancement.

Main Results:

• Metabolite identification was established as a key area for computational metabolomics and data management.
• The workshop explored the alignment of metabolomics needs with existing ELIXIR Platforms.
• Four ELIXIR Use Cases were identified as most beneficial for the metabolomics community (industry and academia).

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for enhanced infrastructure in metabolite identification within European metabolomics.
• A new ELIXIR metabolomics Use Case is proposed to complement existing structures and maximize impact.
• Strengthening computational metabolomics and data management is essential for advancing the field.