All the world’s a metabolic dance, and we are merely moving to the rhythm !

Emerging perspectives in metabolism

#MetabolismMondays begin on April 28^th 2025.

From the flicker of a dividing cell to the sweeping arc of evolutionary adaptation, metabolism drives cell behavior and shapes organismal function — choreographing life at every scale. Metabolism is no longer confined to textbook pathways of energy production, today it takes a center stage in driving decisions of cell fate, growth, development, immunity, adaptation and evolution. It is an exciting time to study metabolism, as the field is wide open — metabolic signals are now recognized for their capacity to drive gene regulatory networks, enabling organisms to adapt and survive across different environments. This dynamic interplay offers new opportunities to explore the mechanisms that sustain life in ways previously unimagined.

A field is shaped as much by its discoveries, as by the early career scientists who ask new questions and chart innovative directions. In this new #MetabolismMondays series, we highlight early career scientists including graduate students, postdocs, and new faculty — who are pioneering metabolism research. Through a series of interviews, they share what drew them to metabolism, they reflect not only on their work, but also on the personal and professional moments that shaped their paths, and what continues to excite them into future. Their insights not only illuminate the vibrant energy of this scientific community but also reflect how metabolism, in all its complexity, continues to surprise and inspire.

In #MetabolismMondays, alongside their research, we aim to personify their scientific journey — capturing their perspectives on curiosity, unexpected sources of inspiration, work-life integration, and moments of growth that shaped their path as scientists. They also shed light on the importance of basic science in uncovering metabolism’s role in both animal and human health. The early career scientists featured in this series work across a remarkable range of model systems — including fruit flies, zebrafish, planarians, sea anemones, butterflies, mosquitoes, cavefish, mice, mammals, human organoids, and cell culture. Each model offers distinct advantages for probing key questions in metabolism. In this series, we will explore topics ranging from cell fate, growth, and patterning, to toxicology, seasonal rhythms, host-pathogen interactions, and the evolutionary impact of habitat change. Their work highlights how studying metabolism in diverse organisms and systems can reveal fresh insights not only into fundamental biological and evolutionary processes, but also in disease occurrence and progression.

As an emerging field, metabolism research is being shaped in real time — by new tools, interdisciplinary approaches, and bold ideas. From studying unconventional model systems to challenging long-standing scientific paradigms, these early career voices offer a fresh lens on where metabolism is headed — and why it resonates across different disciplines within biology.

Get ready to learn — and to become part of these unique journeys, discovery and purpose unfold together, shaping new directions in the field of metabolism. Tune in every Monday morning to begin your week with #MetabolismMondays.

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