What is a metabolite?
Answer: A form of chemical energy.
How is this chemical energy released?
Answer: Metabolic reactions.
Why do we care about metabolites?
Answer: We need energy to think, move, and reproduce!!!
The balance of energy taken in to the body, coupled with the efficiency with which the body utilizes that energy is equal to the load out (or work done). The ratio of fat:protein:carb that humans need is 9:4:4 to maximize the energy balance. We have coevolved for millions of years with other organisms on this planet, therefore it is not necessary for each organism to synthesize all molecules necessary to sustain life. This is why we must consume a diet consisting of all kingdoms of life.
Classes of endogenous small molecules in plants include amino acids, sugars, organic acids, antioxidants, hormones. Analyses of plant material for chemical content can be used to assess purity and source as well as address basic biological questions regarding mechanisms by which plants can survive even under heat, cold, flood or drought conditions.
Metabolic engineering suffers from challenges associated with complex networks of endogenous small molecules which are in equilibrium between intracellular compartments and can be actively transported from one area of the whole organism to another. These are the issues we face as we try to solve the problem of feeding the worlds growing population in a cost effective manner utilizing the promise of modern biological technology. Our goal is to contribute to food security through basic research in the area of metabolism and organismal synergy.