Title: The metabolome: A key measure for exposome research in epidemiology.

Authors: Walker, Douglas I; Valvi, Damaskini; Rothman, Nathaniel; Lan, Qing; Miller, Gary W; Jones, Dean P

Published In Curr Epidemiol Rep, (2019)

Abstract: PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Application of omics to study human health has created a new era of opportunities for epidemiology research. However, approaches to characterize exogenous health triggers have largely not leveraged advances in analytical platforms and big data. In this review, we highlight the exposome, which is defined as the cumulative measure of exposure and biological responses across a lifetime as a cornerstone for new epidemiology approaches to study complex and preventable human diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: While no universal approach exists to measure the entirety of the exposome, use of high-resolution mass spectrometry methods provide distinct advantages over traditional biomonitoring and have provided key advances necessary for exposome research. Application to different study designs and recommendations for combining exposome data with novel data analytic frameworks to study complex interactions of multiple stressors are also discussed. SUMMARY: Even though challenges still need to be addressed, advances in methods to characterize the exposome provide exciting new opportunities for epidemiology to support fundamental discoveries to improve public health.

PubMed ID: 31828002

MeSH Terms: No MeSH terms associated with this publication