Table 1

Overview of the different OMICS technologies

TechnologyMolecules of interestDefinitionTemporal varianceInfluence by disease status
GenotypingDNAAssessment of variability in DNA sequence in the genomeNoneNo
EpigenomicsEpigenetic modifications of DNAAssessment of factors that regulate gene expression without changing DNA sequence of the genomeLow/moderateProbable
Gene expression profilingRNAAssessment of variability in composition and abundance of the transcriptomeHighYes
ProteomicsProteinsAssessment of variability in composition and abundance of the proteomeHighYes
MetabolomicsSmall moleculesAssessment of variability in composition and abundance of the metabolomeHighYes