In recent years, omics sciences have experienced rapid global growth, and Brazil, with its increasing scientific relevance, has actively participated in this process. Among the various definitions of omics sciences, the concept of integrated approaches aiming the comprehensive and systematic characterization of different biomolecules in biological systems¹ is particularly familiar from a chemical perspective. Understanding chemical composition enables a broad comprehension of the organization, dynamics, and interactions among molecular components, allowing the investigation of complex biological processes, environmental responses, and regulatory mechanisms at multiple levels, from cells to ecosystems.

This progress has been driven by the continuous evolution of analytical techniques, as well as by the development of computational tools capable of handling increasingly large datasets, a pivotal requirement to this analysis. It is important to emphasize that, although omics sciences are often presented as data-driven and informatics-based fields, this narrative tends to underestimate their most fundamental basis: chemistry. At their core, all omics approaches rely on the generation of reliable molecular data, which are inherently the result of chemical measurements. Thus, rather than a supporting component, chemistry constitutes the backbone of omics sciences.²

The detection of molecules with a wide range of properties such as, masses, solubilities, polarities, chemical stability, structural diversity, and abundance levels in complex matrices represents a major analytical challenge for both researchers and enthusiastic users of omics approaches. With science constantly evolving, omics approaches require mastery of techniques such as mass spectrometry, chromatography, electrophoresis, nuclear magnetic resonance, and sequencing technologies, among others. All of them, combining with robust sample preparation strategies and extensive use of statistical and computational tools. Here, we have to highlight the central role of chemistry, which is evident, allowing us to paraphrase the well-known statement that, chemistry is the central science.³

Aligned with this, it is necessary to mention and reinforce the role of the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society (JBCS), as one of the leading platforms for disseminating chemical sciences in Latin America. Always striving for editorial excellence and being at the forefront of knowledge in chemical science, the JBCS editorial office observe the rapid expansion of omics sciences in recent decades worldwide, particularly in Brazil. The expansion of omics sciences has profoundly transformed how biological systems are investigated in the country. It has been driven by the development of high-performance analytical platforms, supported by investments in science and technology, which have been implemented across all the Brazilian regions, through funding programs aimed at acquiring large-scale instrumentation and through shared-use policies via multiuser infrastructures. All politics, aiming to boost the national science and keep the Brazilian researchers in line with the the international scientific scenario.

The expansion of omics sciences in Brazil plays a strategic role, particularly in a megadiverse country, where the extraordinary variety of biomes (Amazon, Cerrado, Pantanal, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga) supports immense biodiversity. In this scenario, omics approaches foster initiatives aiming conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity through the understanding of complex ecological interactions. Moreover, the incorporation of these tools into environmental analyses has transformed how natural processes and anthropogenic impacts are studied, enabling integrated characterization of microbial communities, metabolic profiles, and organic matter fluxes in different environmental compartments. Techniques such as metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metabolomics allow high-throughput assessment of ecosystem responses to pressures such as pollution, climate change, and land use, contributing to environmental monitoring and mitigation strategies. In sensitive regions of Brazil, these approaches are particularly relevant for unraveling biogeochemical dynamics, identifying molecular markers of contamination, and understanding nutrient cycling. Thus, omics sciences not only expand knowledge of Brazilian biodiversity but also strengthen the interface between chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences, consolidating themselves as essential tools for sustainability and efficient resource management.

Brazil not only occupies a unique position in terms of biodiversity, complex ecosystems, and diverse production systems, but also stands out for its rich population diversity, shaped by intense historical processes of admixture, resulting in singular genetic variability. This diversity directly influences omics profiles, affecting metabolic responses, susceptibility to diseases, and interactions with local environmental factors. In this context, omics sciences provide powerful tools for investigating molecular determinants of health and disease in heterogeneous populations, contributing to more personalized and representative approaches. Therefore, omics sciences should not be viewed merely as advanced analytical tools, but as part of a strategic agenda for scientific sovereignty, innovation, and sustainable development, particularly in areas such as biodiversity, health, bioeconomy, agriculture, and climate resilience.

Despite significant advances, the consolidation of omics sciences in Brazil still faces important structural challenges. Access to high-performance analytical platforms remains uneven across regions and institutions, and the sustainability of multiuser infrastructures depends on continuous investment in maintenance, technological updates, technical support, and personnel training. Additionally, there is a strong dependence on imported supplies, analytical standards, maintenance contracts, and computational solutions, which increases costs and institutional vulnerability and often limits research continuity. In a country of continental dimensions, these challenges highlight the need for long-term scientific policies that promote regional integration and strengthen national autonomy in science and technology.

Furthermore, JBCS remains attentive to the growing dependence on large datasets in omics sciences, which has reinforced the mistaken perception that computational sophistication alone ensures reliable interpretations. However, as emphasized by the statement “before large datasets, there is good chemistry,” the reliability of omics results is intrinsically linked to the quality of the chemical information that underlies them. One notable consequence of the rapid expansion of omics sciences is a growing
disconnect between detected analytical signals and their interpretation as known compounds, often without proper structural validation, leading to the so-called “identification illusion”,⁴ which is observed worldwide.