The next phase in the development of 13C isotopically non-stationary metabolic flux analysis

C-13 isotopically non-stationary metabolic flux analysis (C-13-INST-MFA) is an emerging technique for estimations of metabolic fluxes and pool sizes. Within the plant sciences, two studies utilizing this technique to characterize carbon metabolism have been published so far. Here, I examine these studies carefully. Readers unfamiliar with C-13-INST-MFA will obtain a critical understanding of the method and its findings. Readers working with C-13-INSTMFA are recommended to enter a phase of model validation to devise clear-cut protocols enabling robust estimations of specific fluxes.

Automated summary

C-13-INST-MFA is an emerging technique for estimating metabolic fluxes and pool sizes, with two studies in plant science utilizing this method to characterize carbon metabolism. It is recommended that researchers working with C-13-INST-MFA enter a phase of model validation to ensure robust estimations of specific fluxes.