Chinese metabolism research 2020 − 2025: from mechanistic discovery to causal, translational systems biology

Abstract

Metabolic dysregulation is a central pathophysiological link to diverse diseases, posing growing challenges to global health. Confronted with the rising burden of obesity, diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and other metabolic disorders amidst rapid socioeconomic transformation, China has mobilized a concerted national research effort. This includes robust national funding for investigator-driven discovery and strategic support for interdisciplinary teams focused on mechanistic and translational research. Underpinning these efforts are targeted investments in frontier technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), high-throughput metabolomics, and genetically encoded sensors, which serve as critical enablers for next-generation discovery. Rather than providing a comprehensive catalogue of recent progress, this article highlights representative advances in metabolic research in China from 2020 to 2025. Together, these advances point to a broader shift: from isolated mechanistic discoveries toward an integrated framework that connects nutrient sensing, metabolite signaling, inter-tissue communication, and translational intervention. Finally, we consider the major challenges that will shape the next phase of the field and highlight the increasingly important role of China in shaping the future landscape of metabolic research.