Overview
RefMet includes both discrete chemical structures and less-resolved analytical species, including lipid sum compositions, to preserve the level of information reported.
What can this tool do?
Common uses
- Reconcile names across metabolomics tables.
- Standardize lipid names without adding unsupported structural detail.
Scientific fit
Primary function
Reference data and database search
Data compatibility
Inputs
Compound list or annotations
Outputs
Compound list or annotations
Input formats
Other, Metabolite names or name lists
Output formats
Other, Standardized names and mapping metadata
Scope and considerations
Designed for
- Reconcile names across metabolomics tables.
Not designed for
- Converting an ambiguous analytical species into a uniquely confirmed structure.
Important requirements
- A metabolite name or list of names; unresolved mappings need manual review.
Considerations
- Keep original labels and mapping outcomes. Some names are unmapped or can refer to different structural levels.
Access and documentation
Public Metabolomics Workbench service; follow its use and citation guidance.
Evidence and review
Documentation-based editorial review on 7 September 2026. Scope and limitations summarize the linked official sources; software execution and developer verification were not assessed.
Core publications
Resource papers, direct updates and tool-specific methods. Selection policy.
- Fahy E, Subramaniam S. RefMet: a reference nomenclature for metabolomics. Nat Methods 17, 1173-1174 (2020). doi:10.1038/s41592-020-01009-y
Related tools
Entry history
Changes to this catalogue entry, not the tool's software release history. Acceptance and editorial review are separate.
- 2026-09-08 · Entry update
Audit core publications across existing tools
View change · Entry at this revision - 2026-09-07 · First committed entry
Add 50 documented metabolomics resources
View change · Entry at this revision