Metabolic network research involves studying the complex interactions between the various chemical reactions that occur within an organism's cells to maintain life and function. These interactions can be visualized as a network of interconnected pathways that regulate the flow of energy and molecules within the cell. By mapping and analyzing these networks, researchers can gain insights into how metabolic processes are controlled, how they are interconnected, and how disruptions in these networks can lead to diseases. This research area is important for understanding how organisms adapt to changing environments, for designing metabolic engineering strategies, and for developing new therapeutic interventions for metabolic disorders.