HMDB

HMDB, the Human Metabolome Database, is a remarkably comprehensive and meticulously curated resource that serves as the go-to encyclopedia for small molecule metabolites found in the human body. Developed by the Wishart Research Group at the University of Alberta, it contains detailed information about over 220,000 metabolites, including their chemical structures, molecular weights, biological roles, disease associations, and concentrations in various body fluids like blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and saliva. For researchers in metabolomics, clinical chemistry, nutritional science, and systems biology, HMDB is an essential tool because it provides the standardized reference data needed to identify and interpret metabolites in experimental samples. Each metabolite entry includes extensive metadata such as synthesis pathways, enzyme associations, drug interactions, and links to related databases like PubChem and KEGG. The database also offers powerful search and visualization tools that help users explore the complex web of metabolic pathways and understand how metabolite levels change in different disease states or physiological conditions.