Joining the dots between omics and environmental management. (12th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leung, Kenneth MY
• Is Part Of: Integrated environmental assessment and management. Volume 14:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2018-01-12
• Subjects: Genomics -- Transcriptomics -- Proteomics -- Metabolomics -- Omics; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; 628
• DOI: 10.1002/ieam.2007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1551-3777

Abstract

ABSTRACT: With the rapid advancement of DNA sequencing technologies and the substantial reduction of their running costs, environmental genomics and transcriptomics become more affordable and popular in environmental toxicology. In parallel, there are also speedy improvements of mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, enabling high‐throughput analyses of proteins and metabolites in biological samples and promoting research studies in proteomics and metabolomics. By applying these high‐throughput omics technologies, researchers can quickly generate an unprecedentedly vast amount of biological data that may be useful to environmental management. However, the current pace of applying omics information in environmental management is still very slow, and lags well behind the rapid development of omics‐based research. This timely commentary, therefore, calls for joint efforts to increase this pace and join the dots between omics and environmental management, turning omics into practical tools. Herein, I explore how omics can contribute to risk assessment and management of chemicals, and recommend what we can do to facilitate and promote the use of omics information in environmental management. This article is especially dedicated to my role model, mentor, and friend, Peter M Chapman (1951–2017), who sadly passed away on 26 September 2017. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:169–173. © 2017 SETAC Key Points: Environmental genomics and transcriptomics have become more affordable and popular in environmental toxicology. Improvements of mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry enable high‐throughput analyses of proteins and metabolites in biological samples and promote research in proteomics and metabolomics. Applying these high‐throughput omics technologies, researchers can quickly generate an unprecedentedly vast amount of biological data that may be useful to environmental management. The current pace of applying omics information in environmental management is still slow; joint efforts to increase this pace and join the dots between omics and environmental management, turning omics into practical tools, is needed.