transcriptomics
One of the family of so-called 'omics methods: an approach to the study of gene expression whereby thousands of RNA molecules in a given sample (of tissue or cells) are analysed simultaneously.
Transcriptomics is the study of all the RNA molecules produced by cells, tissues, or organisms at a given time. In simple terms, it shows which genes are “switched on or off” and how strongly they are active in response to a substance, a food, or an environmental condition.
In food safety, EFSA uses transcriptomics as a supporting tool to better understand how foods, chemicals, pesticides, or contaminants affect biological systems. By analysing changes in gene expression, EFSA can gain insight into mechanisms of toxicity, early biological effects, and stress responses that may occur before visible harm appears. Transcriptomics can help compare treated and untreated samples, support the assessment of novel foods and GMOs, and contribute to identifying potential hazards.
EFSA mainly uses transcriptomics within a weight-of-evidence approach, alongside traditional toxicological studies. It helps refine risk assessments, reduce uncertainty, and support more modern and ethical testing strategies, while not replacing established regulatory tests on its own.