Metabolic biology represents a cutting-edge interdisciplinary field that integrates biochemistry, physiology, genetics, medicine, and other domains, aimed at elucidating the core metabolic mechanisms underlying life activities, the patterns of metabolic changes under physiological and pathological conditions, and the interactions between organisms and their environment. With the advancement of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and related technologies, research achievements in this field have grown substantially, expanding from traditional biology and medicine to encompass chemistry, food science, environmental science, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and engineering sectors, demonstrating remarkable interdisciplinary characteristics and application potential. China has emerged as one of the core research forces in this field and exhibits tremendous development potential. Research in this domain holds significant strategic importance for addressing major challenges in human health, food security, energy, and environmental sustainability.

Currently, metabolic biology research focuses on several key areas. In "Metabolism and Disease," emphasis is placed on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of metabolic disorders (such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases), identifying genetic susceptibility genes and key regulatory targets, and developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The core of "Metabolism and Drug Development" lies in strengthening fundamental research "from zero to one," discovering new targets, understanding common pathological mechanisms of metabolic disorders in major chronic diseases, and advancing innovative drug development. Additionally, research encompasses "Metabolism and Proactive Health," exploring molecular mechanisms of lifestyle interventions; "Human Symbiotic Microbial Metabolism," analyzing microbehost metabolic network interactions; "Metabolism and Agriculture," improving crop metabolism to enhance yield and stress resistance; "Metabolism and Synthetic Biology," designing and engineering microorganisms for efficient production of valuable compounds; "Metabolism and Biomaterials," optimizing biocompatibility of biological materials; "Metabolism and Biomass Energy" as well as "Metabolism and Carbon Neutrality," utilizing metabolic engineering to promote renewable energy production and CO₂ biological fixation; and "New Technology Development and Metabolomics," advancing high-sensitivity, high-throughput analytical technologies.

To drive the strategic development of metabolic biology in China, it is recommended that the national level strengthen top-level design and resource integration, establish a key special program for metabolic biology, and construct a National Center for Metabolic Biology Science and Technology. The key special program shall support exploration of major scientific questions and breakthrough of critical technologies through multidimensional strategies, facilitating the integration of basic research with industrial applications. The National Science and Technology Center is committed to establishing advanced instrument-sharing platforms, building national-level metabolic disease resource banks and distinctive natural product libraries, developing artificial intelligence systems for metabolic network analysis, cultivating high-level talent, and addressing bottleneck issues in key detection instruments and databases. Through these initiatives, China's original innovation capacity in metabolic biology research will be enhanced, the healthy development of related industries will be promoted, and robust support will be provided for national health and economic development.