Metabolomics Core Facility

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Mission

The mission of Metabolomics Core Facility (MCF) at Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University is to provide: 1. LCMS based metabolomics service including identification, semi-quantification and quantification of metabolites from biological samples including but not limited to cells, bio-fluids and tissues; 2. integrative genomics service related to metabolism. MCF supports investigators engaged in basic, preclinical and clinical cancer research, including scientists examining basic mechanisms in of disease, as well as those seeking to identify novel targets for therapy or biomarkers that can be used for early detection, diagnosis, prognosis or response to therapy.

Services Offered

CHMP – Profiling (Semi-Quantitation) – Comprehensive Hydrophilic Metabolites Panel
Use LCMS to acquire signals from a broad spectrum of water-soluble metabolites. 300 plus targets include but not limit to amino acids, nucleotides and nucleobase/nucleosides, cofactors, Krebs cycle, TCA cycle, urea cycle, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, etc. See CHMP Target list for details. 30-40 minutes run with raw data available.

CLP – Profiling (Semi-Quantitation) – Comprehensive Lipids Panel
Use LCMS to acquire signals from a broad spectrum of lipids. 200 plus targets include CE, Cer, DG, LPC, PC,PE, PG, PI, PS, SM, TG, etc. See CLP Target List for details. 30-40 minutes run with raw data available.

PTM – Profiling (Semi-Quantitation) – Targeted Metabolites/Lipids/Small Molecules
Use LCMS to acquire signals for specific targets-of-your-interest (hydrophilic metabolites, lipids or other small molecules). Standard compounds are required for certain metabolites. 25-35 minutes run with raw data available.

FLUX – Profiling (Semi-Quantitation) – Fluxomics
Use LCMS to acquire signals of steady isotope (13C, 2H, or 15N) incorporated metabolites after incubation of substrates in order to study metabolic flux in specific pathways. Common substrates include but not limit to Glucose-13C6, Glutamine-13C5, Pyruvate-13C3, Creatine-13C4, Methionine-13C5, Nictinamide-13C3,15N. 25-35 minutes run with raw data.

QTM – Quantification (Absolute-Quantitation) – Targeted Metabolites/Lipids/Small Molecules
Use LCMS to quantify targets-of-your-interest (hydrophilic metabolites, lipids or small molecules) from sample extractions. Standard compounds of targets and internal standards (normally isotope labelled targets) are required.

UMHM – Untargeted Metabolomics (Discovery-Mode) – Hydrophilic Metabolites
Use LCMS to acquire signals from water soluble metabolites extractions. Raw data from untargeted metabolomics method (full MS1 scan with data dependent MS2) will be provided. Researchers will choose their own choice of partners (including core’s collaborator from outside institute) to perform untargeted metabolomics analysis.

Data Analysis

• For profiling (Semi-Quantitation) services, targets will be annotated, and peak areas with artificial unit will be reported for comparison between samples.
• For quantification (Absolute-Quantitation) services, amount or concentration will be reported.
• For untargeted metabolomics (Discovery-Mode) services, only raw data with full MS1 scan and data dependent MS2 will be provided.

Sample Preparation
Process samples for LCMS injection.

Method Development
Develop or optimize new assays per customer request.

SeaHorse Analyzers
Shared instruments are provided for researchers to perform self-guided SeaHorse experiments.

Consulting