If Life = f(Environment, t) is the new framework for life science research, then Ionic & Molecular Omics (imOmics) is the scientific language and methodology for implementing this framework.

imOmics is defined as "the holistic study of the ion and molecule exchange processes between living and non-living matter and the external environment" . It is a functional omics whose core goal is to reveal the patterns of ionic and molecular activities underlying specific physiological processes, thereby establishing the connection from microscopic ion/molecule dynamics to macroscopic life phenotypes (Sun et al., 2025).

The uniqueness of imOmics lies in its focus not on the static molecular "inventory" within an organism, but on the dynamic "flux" at the interface between the organism and its environment. This "flux," i.e., the ion/molecule flow rate, is the specific numerical representation of the function "f" at a particular point in space and time. By measuring these "fluxes" in a high-throughput, multi-dimensional manner, imOmics can map the dynamic profile (Iono-molecular Profile) of an organism's response to environmental changes, thereby systematically interpreting the intrinsic mechanisms of "f".

NMT is the technological cornerstone that enables imOmics (Dan-dan et al., n.d.; Han et al., 2022; Jia et al., 2017; Jing et al., 2014; J. Li et al., 2014; X. Lu et al., n.d.; Non-Invasive Micro-Test Technology & Applications (Life Science Ver. 1.0), n.d.; Sun et al., 2024; Xu, 2023b; Zhang et al., 2025). Its technical advantages perfectly align with the requirements of the Life = f(Environment, t) formula:

Figure 2. NMT: Non-invasive Micro-test Technique bridges Life and Environment. In Vivo, In Situ Detection: NMT performs measurements directly on living samples, avoiding artifacts caused by in vitro experiments, ensuring physiological relevance of the data, and truly reflecting how "Life" responds to the "Environment" in its natural state. High Spatiotemporal Resolution: NMT achieves second-level temporal resolution and micrometer-level spatial resolution, enabling it to capture rapid physiological signals (e.g., calcium signals in nerve cells) and fine local responses (e.g., nutrient uptake by plant root hairs), which is crucial for analyzing the dynamic changes of "f" across different "t" and spatial scales. Multi-parameter Simultaneous Detection: The new generation of NMT systems can simultaneously detect multiple ions and molecules (e.g., Ca²⁺, H⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, O₂, H₂O₂) and synchronously record multiple environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, light, pH) . This allows researchers to examine the effects of multiple environmental variables on the state of life in a single experiment, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the complex function "f".

The imOmics technology system is a closed-loop system, comprising a data acquisition layer centered on high-throughput NMT, an environmental information layer supplemented by Environmental Parameter Recording Technology (ERP/PEP), and a data storage, analysis, and modeling layer based on cloud data platforms (e.g., imFluxes.com) . This system provides a complete technological solution for the systematic study of Life = f(Environment, t).