Multiomics data integration for research: linking metabolites in indigenous plants to health benefits

In this experience, you will learn how research techniques are utilized in biomedical research in general through the lens of modern analytical research techniques, specifically metabolomics and proteomics. For example, mass spectrometry is useful in natural products identification in separations from medicinal plants. Computational biology methods such as structural proteomics integrated with metabolomics allows a systems-view of the interactions of these natural products with the human targetome, the universe of all proteins in human available to bind to them. Plant-derived bioactive compounds, either as pure or as complex mixtures, have several advantages over traditional drug discovery, due to their wide availability, diverse pharmacological actions and a generally good profile of safety and tolerability, and allow tying in research to students’ personal experiences. This real-world, motivating scenario will be used to teach the fundamentals of gathering background information, reading scientific literature, defining a hypothesis, and testing the hypothesis, working together in groups with members of complementary backgrounds and interests and presenting scientific findings.