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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
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Identification and Quantification of Deranged Metabolites in Critically Ill Patients Using NMR-Based Metabolomics
Published on: November 29, 2024
Spatial metabolomics - a metabolic microscope for respiratory medicine
Matthew J Smith1, Jesper Säfholm1,2, Craig E Wheelock1,2
1Unit of Integrative Metabolomics, The Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Summary
Spatial metabolomics maps small molecules in tissues at pixel resolution, complementing bulk methods. This "metabolic microscopy" reveals lung metabolic heterogeneity, aiding respiratory disease research and precision medicine.
Area of Science:
- Metabolomics
- Mass Spectrometry
- Spatial Biology
Background:
- Conventional bulk metabolomics lacks cellular and anatomical resolution.
- Spatial metabolomics provides in situ, pixel-resolved mapping of small molecules across tissues.
- Adapting mass spectrometry (MS) ionization techniques like MALDI and DESI enables high-resolution metabolic maps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the capabilities and applications of spatial metabolomics in understanding tissue metabolism.
- To highlight its role in respiratory research, linking localized biochemistry with pulmonary physiology and disease.
- To discuss challenges and future directions for spatial metabolomics in multimodal spatial biology frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing mass spectrometry (MS) ionization approaches (MALDI, DESI) for in situ metabolite mapping.
- Generating high-resolution metabolic maps linking metabolite distributions to tissue regions and cellular niches.
- Integrating spatial metabolomics with histology and other spatial omics modalities.
Main Results:
- Spatial metabolomics reveals regional heterogeneity in lung metabolism, including surfactant remodeling and lipid mediator localization.
- Studies show fibrosis-associated metabolic reprogramming, infection-specific airway responses, and tumor-associated phospholipid dysregulation.
- The method connects localized biochemistry with pulmonary physiology and disease mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Spatial metabolomics offers powerful insights into respiratory diseases by mapping metabolic heterogeneity.
- Challenges in sensitivity, identification, quantification, and tissue preservation need addressing for standardized workflows.
- Future integration with transcriptomics and proteomics promises comprehensive multi-layered metabolic mapping for precision medicine in respiratory disease.
