Abstract Serine is a non-essential amino acid that plays a key role in the synthesis of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleotides and lipids, and changes in the uptake, absorption, synthesis and catabolic levels of serine in vivo all affect multiple physiological processes in tissue cells. Serine plays a key role in intracellular energy metabolism and signaling linkages, and has a profound impact on the developmental processes of a variety of metabolic diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and aging. In-depth study of serine metabolic pathways can provide new targets and strategies for early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of related diseases. Based on the physiological function of serine, this article expounds the synthetic and metabolic transformation of serine in cells, and reviews the research progress of intracellular serine metabolism on cell physiology and related diseases at home and abroad, which provides a theoretical reference for serine metabolism as an emerging target for disease treatment.