1. Introduction
Omics technologies have transformed the landscape of biological and medical research by providing comprehensive, high-throughput data on the molecular composition and regulation of cells, tissues, and organisms (Hasin, Seldin, & Lusis, 2017). These technologies include genomics, which examines DNA sequences and structural variations; transcriptomics, which profiles RNA expression patterns; proteomics, which assesses protein abundance, modifications, and interactions; and metabolomics, which evaluates small-molecule metabolites in biological systems (Zhang et al., 2010). Collectively, omics approaches enable holistic insights into biological processes, bridging the gap between genotype, phenotype, and environmental influences.
The rapid evolution of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and mass spectrometry has greatly enhanced the sensitivity, throughput, and resolution of omics studies. In genomics, high-throughput sequencing allows the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), copy number variations, and structural variants across large populations, facilitating genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and personalized medicine applications (Visscher et al., 2017). Transcriptomics, using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), captures gene expression dynamics across tissues, time points, and disease states, enabling identification of regulatory networks and alternative splicing events (Wang, Gerstein, & Snyder, 2009). Proteomics leverages mass spectrometry and protein microarrays to map protein abundance, post-translational modifications, and protein-protein interactions, providing functional insights beyond gene expression alone (Aebersold & Mann, 2016). Metabolomics focuses on small molecules that reflect cellular metabolic states, offering a direct readout of physiological and pathological processes (Patti, Yanes, & Siuzdak, 2012).
Despite technological advancements, variability in omics data remains a major challenge. Differences in sample preparation, platform selection, data processing, and normalization strategies can introduce technical noise and bias, complicating cross-study comparisons and meta-analyses (Rung & Brazma, 2013). Biological variability—including age, sex, genetic background, diet, and microbiome composition—further contributes to heterogeneity, emphasizing the importance of rigorous experimental design, replication, and statistical analysis. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of omics studies are therefore critical to synthesize findings, quantify effect sizes, assess heterogeneity, and identify potential biases (Higgins & Green, 2011).
Forest and funnel plot analyses are key tools in omics meta-analysis. Forest plots visualize effect sizes and confidence intervals for each study, providing a clear summary of consistency and magnitude of effects across datasets. Funnel plots assess potential publication bias by displaying the distribution of effect sizes against study precision, highlighting asymmetries that suggest selective reporting (Egger, Smith, Schneider, & Minder, 1997). By integrating these statistical approaches, researchers can discern robust biomarkers, pathway signatures, and molecular patterns, while identifying methodological sources of variability that require standardization.
Omics approaches have significantly advanced understanding in multiple disease contexts. In oncology, genomics and transcriptomics have uncovered driver mutations, gene expression signatures, and regulatory networks that inform prognosis and targeted therapies (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2011). Proteomic and metabolomic profiling has revealed dysregulated signaling pathways, metabolic rewiring, and potential therapeutic targets in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders (Patti et al., 2012; Aebersold & Mann, 2016). Integrative multi-omics analyses, combining genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, have enabled the construction of comprehensive molecular networks, facilitating systems-level understanding of complex diseases (Hasin et al., 2017).
The clinical translation of omics findings depends on validation, reproducibility, and standardization. Cross-platform and cross-cohort validation ensures that biomarkers and molecular signatures are reliable across populations and technical conditions. Rigorous statistical modeling, including multivariate analyses, machine learning approaches, and network-based inference, is essential for handling high-dimensional omics data and avoiding overfitting (Rung & Brazma, 2013). Additionally, ethical considerations—such as informed consent, data privacy, and equitable access—must be addressed when implementing omics in personalized medicine.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to consolidate current evidence on omics methodologies, evaluating their accuracy, reproducibility, and clinical relevance. By synthesizing data across studies, the review identifies trends in biomarker discovery, pathway analysis, and multi-omics integration, while quantifying heterogeneity and potential biases. The findings highlight the promise of omics for advancing precision medicine, identifying therapeutic targets, and elucidating mechanisms of disease, while underscoring the technical and methodological challenges that must be overcome for reliable clinical application.
Overall, omics approaches represent a paradigm shift in modern biology and medicine, enabling holistic characterization of molecular systems and advancing personalized healthcare. Through systematic review and meta-analytical synthesis, this work provides critical insights into the strengths, limitations, and future directions of omics research, guiding both experimental design and clinical translation (Hasin et al., 2017; Aebersold & Mann, 2016; Zhang et al., 2010).




