Bayesian Metrology In Metabolomics

Metabolomics is a branch of bioinformatics that uses mass spectrometry measurements on metabolite abundance in tissue samples for scientific and medical purposes. Although the basic technology is similar to that used in proteomics, the statistical analysis is potentially simpler since biochemists have more domain knowledge about the chemical structure, properties and biological functions of metabolites. This paper develops Bayesian methods which exploit that domain knowledge to provide more accurate quantitation and reduced variance in estimates of metabolite abundance.