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The global threat of COVID-19 has led to an increased use of metabolomics to study SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals and humans. In spite of these efforts, however, understanding the metabolome of SARS-CoV-2 during an infection remains difficult and incomplete. In this study, metabolic responses to a SAS-CoV-2 challenge experiment were studied in nasal washes collected from an asymptomatic ferret model (n = 20) at different time points before and after infection using an LC-MS-based metabolomics approach. A multivariate analysis of the nasal wash metabolome data revealed several statistically significant features. Despite no effects of sex or interaction between sex and time on the time course of SARS-CoV-2 infection, 16 metabolites were significantly different at all time points post-infection. Among these altered metabolites, the relative abundance of taurine was elevated post-infection, which could be an indication of hepatotoxicity, while the accumulation of sialic acids could indicate SARS-CoV-2 invasion. Enrichment analysis identified several pathways influenced by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of these, sugar, glycan, and amino acid metabolisms were the key altered pathways in the upper respiratory channel during infection. These findings provide some new insights into the progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ferrets at the metabolic level, which could be useful for the development of early clinical diagnosis tools and new or repurposed drug therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a growing concern for humans, wildlife, and more broadly, ecosystem health. Previously, we characterised the microbial and biochemical impact of elevated PFAS on the gut microbiome of freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii) within a contaminated catchment in Queensland, Australia. However, the understanding of PFAS impacts on this species and other aquatic organisms is still very limited, especially at the host–gut microbiome molecular interaction level. To this end, the present study aimed to apply these leading-edge omics technologies within an integrated framework that provides biological insight into the host turtle–turtle gut microbiome interactions of PFAS-impacted wild-caught freshwater turtles. For this purpose, faecal samples from PFAS-impacted turtles (n = 5) and suitable PFAS-free reference turtles (n = 5) were collected and analysed. Data from 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metabolomic profiling of the turtle faeces were integrated using MetOrigin to assign host, microbiome, and co-metabolism activities. Significant variation in microbial composition was observed between the two turtle groups. The PFAS-impacted turtles showed a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidota than the reference turtles. The faecal metabolome showed several metabolites and pathways significantly affected by PFAS exposure. Turtles exposed to PFAS displayed altered amino acid and butanoate metabolisms, as well as altered purine and pyrimidine metabolism. It is predicted from this study that PFAS-impacted both the metabolism of the host turtle and its gut microbiota which in turn has the potential to influence the host's physiology and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cell metabolomics is a reliable and efficient tool to study PFAS toxicity. • Diverse cell types show non-specific and specific responses to PFAS. • Cell metabolomics approach revealed pathways associated with PFAS effects. • Cell metabolomics studies identified potential biomarkers linked to PFAS effects. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ubiquitous environmental contaminants, pose significant challenges to ecosystems and human health. While cell cultures have emerged as new approach methodologies (NAMs) in ecotoxicity research, metabolomics is an emerging technique used to characterize the small-molecule metabolites present in cells and to understand their role in various biological processes. Integration of metabolomics with cell cultures, known as cell culture metabolomics, provides a novel and robust tool to unravel the complex molecular responses induced by PFAS exposure. In vitro testing also reduces reliance on animal testing, aligning with ethical and regulatory imperatives. The current review summarizes key findings from recent studies utilizing cell culture metabolomics to investigate PFAS toxicity, highlighting alterations in metabolic pathways, biomarker identification, and the potential linkages between metabolic perturbations. Additionally, the paper discusses different types of cell cultures and metabolomics methods used for studies of environmental contaminants and particularly PFAS. Future perspectives on the combination of metabolomics with other advanced technologies, such as single-cell metabolomics (SCM), imaging mass spectrometry (IMS), extracellular flux analysis (EFA), and multi-omics are also explored, which offers a holistic understanding of environmental contaminants. The synthesis of current knowledge and identification of research gaps provide a foundation for future investigations that aim to elucidate the complexities of PFAS-induced cellular responses and contribute to the development of effective strategies for mitigating their adverse effects on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic biodegradation by insects has made significant progress, opening up new avenues for the treatment of plastic waste. Wax moth larvae, for example, have attracted the attention of the scientific community because they are known to chew, ingest, and biodegrade natural polymer bee waxes. Despite this, we know very little about how these insects perform on manufactured plastics or how manufactured plastics affect insect metabolism. As a result, we studied the metabolism of greater wax moths (Galleria mellonella) fed on molasses-supplemented polylactic acid plastic (PLA) blocks. An analysis of the central carbon metabolism (CCM) metabolites was performed using liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ-MS), while an analysis of untargeted metabolites and lipids was conducted using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS). In total, 169 targeted CCM metabolites, 222 untargeted polar metabolites, and 196 untargeted nonpolar lipids were identified within the insect samples. In contrast, compared to control larvae, PLA-fed larvae displayed significantly different levels of 97 CCM metabolites, 75 polar metabolites, and 57 lipids. Purine and pyrimidine metabolisms were affected by PLA feeding, as well as amino acid metabolism, carbohydrates, cofactors, vitamins, and related metabolisms. Additionally, PLA exposure disrupted insect energy metabolism and oxidative stress, among other metabolic disturbances. The larvae fed PLA have lower levels of several lipids, suggesting a reduction in lipid reserves, and ceramide levels are likely to have changed due to apoptosis and inflammation. The study indicates that G. mellonella larvae could ingest PLA but this process causes some metabolic stress for the host. Future studies of the molecular pathways of this biodegradation process might help to provide strategies for stress reduction that would speed up insect digestion of plastic. • PLA disrupted wax moth energy metabolism and oxidative stress. • PLA-fed wax moth larvae displayed altered purine and pyrimidine metabolisms. • PLA-fed wax moth larvae were lower in several lipid reserves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The steady increase in abalone aquaculture production throughout the world has attracted growing interest in the application of new technologies, such as omics approaches for abalone research. Many omics techniques, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are becoming established in abalone research and are beginning to reveal key molecules and pathways underlying many biological processes, and to identify associated candidate biomarkers of biological or environmental processes. In this contribution, we synthesize the published omics studies on abalone to highlight the current state of knowledge, open questions, and future directions. In addition, we outline the challenges and limitations of each omics field, some of which could be overcome by integrating multiple omics approaches – a future strategy with great potential for contributing to improve abalone production. • There is emergence of omics applications for abalone research. • Omics approaches have enabled significant progress in abalone biology. • Omics could provide biomarkers for selective breeding and disease diagnosis. • Omics will expand in aquaculture and provide new tools for aquaculture management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in high-throughput technologies for omics analyses and bioinformatics for data interpretation have led to the application of omics approaches across all fields of life sciences. There has also been an expansion of omics research in immune studies of marine invertebrates, such as bivalves to gain insights into pathogenic infections and disease progression. Many of these omics studies have been conducted on haemocytes and haemolymph, which are the most important components of the bivalve immune system. Characterization of transcriptomes, proteomes and metabolomes of bivalve haemocytes in response to pathogenic infections and other environmental stressors have revealed valuable information regarding the mechanisms that drive the innate immune system in response to stress challenges, as well as insights regarding complex host-pathogen-environment interactions across bivalve species. For instance, detailed analysis of haemocyte transcriptomes has resulted in the discovery of a number of coding and non-coding transcripts involved in immune and stress responses. In addition, comprehensive examination of the proteome and metabolome of bivalve haemocytes following stress exposure has helped identify changes in the physiological status of the organism, including specific molecular pathways involved in these processes. Furthermore, the differently expressed molecules that have been identified through these omics studies can be used as candidate biomarkers with applications in breeding selection programs, disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring. However, despite these significant biotechnological advances, the application of omics tools for bivalve haemocyte research is currently hindered by several challenges and bottlenecks. In this contribution, we aim to review the major advances, current perspectives and future directions of three main omics (transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) with regards to their application in bivalve haemocyte and aquaculture research. • Review of omics (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) for bivalve haemocytes • Application of omics tools to investigate host-pathogen-environment interactions • Comparison of benefits and shortcomings of various omics in aquaculture research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]