Metabolomics in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Analysis of Availability, Practices, and Challenges in Clinical Laboratories.

Abstract

Objective: To comprehensively analyse the current state of metabolomics in clinical laboratories across Pakistan.

Study design: Cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of the Study: Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, from June to November 2022.

Methodology: This survey assessed metabolomics availability, computational methods, and resources in Pakistani clinical laboratories. The survey questionnaire was distributed within the chemical pathology community via Google Forms, and responses were garnered from 44 chemical pathologists across 17 laboratories in 10 cities.

Results: Among respondents, 11 had formal metabolomics training, with three having less than 1 year, five more than 1 year, and 33 lacking any experience. Primary clinical applications included inherited metabolic disorders, bio-informatics, microbiology, therapeutic drug monitoring, toxicology, and nutritional and environmental science. Thirty-three labs reported no omics-related technology; LC-MS and GC-MS were present in eight labs and capillary spectroscopy, direct infusion mass spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared-spectroscopy were predominantly used for metabolite identification. Challenges identified in implementing metabolomics included lack of awareness, limited expertise, low volume, restricted applicability, high instrument costs, and insufficient funding.

Conclusion: Metabolomics in Pakistan faces limitations, but the chemical pathology community expresses strong interest, emphasising the need for intensified efforts in education and training in this emerging field.

Key words: Metabolomics, Chemical pathology, Pakistan, Clinical laboratories, Genetics, Survey.