Skin Metabolomics

HighlightsSkin metabolites are low-molecular-weight compounds found in different components of skin.The field of skin metabolomics relies on the availability of methods for efficient skin sampling and analysis of metabolites in low-volume specimens (e.g., sweat).A variety of skin sampling techniques are available as customized approaches, targeting specific applications and addressing impediments of invasive skin sampling.Skin metabolomics is an emerging translational research tool for biomarker discovery and precision medicine.Biosensor innovations focus on the detection of alternative biofluids from the skin, aiming to develop non-invasive point-of-care testing devices.AbstractSkin retains numerous low-molecular-weight compounds (metabolites). Some of these compounds fulfill specific physiological roles, while others are by-products of metabolism. The skin surface can be sampled to detect and quantify skin metabolites related to diseases. Miniature probes have been developed to detect selected high-abundance metabolites secreted with sweat. To characterize a broad spectrum of skin metabolites, specimens are collected with one of several available methods, and the processed specimens are analyzed by chromatography, mass spectrometry (MS), or other techniques. Diseases for which skin-related biomarkers have been found include cystic fibrosis (CF), psoriasis, Parkinson's disease (PD), and lung cancer. To increase the clinical significance of skin metabolomics, it is desirable to verify correlations between metabolite levels in skin and other biological tissues/matrices.