Human Nutritional Sciences
University of Manitoba
Metabolomics is one of the “omics” approaches that enables the high-throughput identification and quantification of small molecules (<1500 Da) present in biological systems such as cells, whole organisms, or biological fluids. The metabolome comprises both endogenous metabolites such as amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, carbohydrates, vitamins, lipids, and their derivatives and exogenous compounds, including pollutants, pharmaceuticals, food additives, and other xenobiotics. Both targeted and untargeted metabolomics approaches can be applied to physiological studies to rapidly screen large numbers of metabolites and detect changes in their concentrations. This capability contributes to a deeper understanding of complex physiological, biological, and biochemical interactions across different experimental models. Nutritional metabolomics focuses on investigating the effects of nutrients on specific metabolic pathways as well as overall metabolism. When integrated with comprehensive ‘foodomics’ analyses of the foods or nutrients used in dietary studies, it provides a more complete understanding of how individual nutrients or complex food matrices influence biomarkers and biochemical pathways. An example involving pulses and their potential role in lowering blood pressure will be presented to illustrate how nutritional metabolomics can serve as a powerful tool for identifying key biomarkers and elucidating biochemical pathways relevant to nutrition research. Pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas are rich in bioactive compounds that may contribute to cardiovascular health. Through metabolomic profiling of biological samples, it becomes possible to detect metabolic shifts associated with their intake. These findings enhance the mechanistic understanding of how pulse-derived components influence cardiovascular.
Dr. Aliani is a Full Professor in the Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, with a distinctive and interdisciplinary expertise spanning analytical chemistry and biochemistry, particularly as applied to nutritional and clinical research. Leveraging this specialized skill set, Dr. Aliani has led the development and implementation of an advanced metabolomics and lipidomics platform at the St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre in Winnipeg since 2012. This integrated platform combines innovative electronic nose technology with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) capabilities. The facility provides comprehensive support to researchers conducting both targeted and untargeted analyses of functional foods and diverse biological specimens (e.g., plasma, urine, and tissues). A central focus of this work is the high-resolution characterization of metabolic perturbations associated with the onset and progression of chronic diseases. Through method development, analytical optimization, and collaborative research support, Dr. Aliani’s program has significantly enhanced institutional capacity for systems-level investigation of nutrition–health relationships.