Recently, researchers have been able to study the complete set of mRNA transcripts present in a single organism in a particular state. This is referred to as a transcriptome — a combination of transcript and “ome”, the latter being the term adopted for this sort of totality. The study of such transcripts is termed transcriptomics.

My concern is whether there is a grammatically correct adjective derived from these terms. The eminent journal Nature has published articles with the terms "transcriptome profiling," "transcriptomic profiling," and "transcriptomal profiling," all with the same intended meaning.

Or is it possible that the best option is to share responsibilities among the aforementioned adjectives? For example, "transcriptomic" could be suitable when describing methods within the field of transcriptomics, "transcriptomal" might be relevant when describing data obtained through transcriptomics, and "transcriptome" (as an adjective) could be fitting when referring to the initial acquisition of data. This option implies that all three adjectives can be correctly combined within a single article.

In the last 20 years or so researchers have been able to study the complete set of RNA transcripts present in a single organism in a particular state. This is referred to as a transcriptome — a combination of transcript and “ome”, the latter being the term adopted for this sort of totality. The study of such transcripts is termed transcriptomics. A similar term had been coined originally for the complete set of genetic information (genome), and this was also applied to all the proteins present in a cell (proteome) or all the reacting chemicals — metabolites — (metabolome).

My concern is whether there is a grammatically correct adjective derived from these terms. The eminent journal Nature has published articles with the terms "transcriptome profiling," "transcriptomic profiling," and "transcriptomal profiling," all with the same intended meaning.

Perhaps it is possible that the best option is to share responsibilities among the aforementioned adjectives? For example, "transcriptomic" could be suitable when describing methods within the field of transcriptomics, "transcriptomal" might be relevant when describing data obtained through transcriptomics, and "transcriptome" (as an adjective) could be fitting when referring to the initial acquisition of data. This implies that all three adjectives can be correctly combined within a single article.

Recently, researchers have gained the ability to explore transcriptome, giving rise to the science of transcriptomics. This development has led to questions regarding terminology, particularly in relation to the appropriate adjectives. The question arises: which is/are the correct adjective(s) to use in connection with "transcriptome"/"transcriptomics"? Is it "transcriptome" (noun as an adjective), "transcriptomic," or "transcriptomal"? Nature has published articles with the terms "transcriptome profiling," "transcriptomic profiling," and "transcriptomal profiling," all with the same intended meaning.

Could you suggest the correct adjective(s), maybe from a general grammar point of view? Is it possible that the best option is to share responsibilities among the aforementioned adjectives? For example, "transcriptomic" could be suitable when describing methods within the field of transcriptomics, "transcriptomal" might be relevant when describing data obtained through transcriptomics, and "transcriptome" (as an adjective) could be fitting when referring to the initial acquisition of data. This option implies that all three adjectives can be correctly combined within a single article.

Your input on this matter would be greatly appreciated

Recently, researchers have been able to study the complete set of mRNA transcripts present in a single organism in a particular state. This is referred to as a transcriptome — a combination of transcript and “ome”, the latter being the term adopted for this sort of totality. The study of such transcripts is termed transcriptomics.

My concern is whether there is a grammatically correct adjective derived from these terms. The eminent journal Nature has published articles with the terms "transcriptome profiling," "transcriptomic profiling," and "transcriptomal profiling," all with the same intended meaning.

Or is it possible that the best option is to share responsibilities among the aforementioned adjectives? For example, "transcriptomic" could be suitable when describing methods within the field of transcriptomics, "transcriptomal" might be relevant when describing data obtained through transcriptomics, and "transcriptome" (as an adjective) could be fitting when referring to the initial acquisition of data. This option implies that all three adjectives can be correctly combined within a single article.