MFA typically involves the use of isotopic tracers, such as carbon-13 or nitrogen-15, which are incorporated into metabolic substrates. Cells or tissues are then incubated with these labeled substrates, and the distribution of isotopes in metabolic products is measured using techniques like mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Mathematical models are employed to interpret the data, allowing the calculation of fluxes through different metabolic pathways.
