Focus issue on the cellular origin of volatile metabolites

Abstract

The original research articles published in this Special Issue on the Cellular origin of Volatile Metabolites provide examples of the many methodologies that can be employed to tackle this topic. In addition to these studies, there are other approaches that can be used to enhance our understanding of the biochemical origin of volatile molecules in exhaled breath, including sampling of metabolites from samples distal to the lung (e.g., directly or through biopsy) or the careful use of research animals. However, to link particular volatile molecules to pathogenesis processes, isotopically labeled probes coupled to other biochemical tools, such as inhibitors, will be necessary.