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

• Profiling - Comprehensive Hydrophilic Metabolites Panel (CHMP) - LCMS Run
  Use LCMS to acquire signals from a broad spectrum of water soluble metabolites (250 plus targets including but not limited to amino acids, nucleotides and nucleobase/nucleosides, cofactors, Krebs cycle, TCA cycle, urea cycle, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, etc. See Target list for details). Semi-quantitative (comparison between samples) 30-40 minute run with raw data available. Fee/injection.
• Profiling - Targeted Metabolites (PTM) - LCMS Run
  Use LCMS to acquire signals for specific targets-of-your-interest (hydrophilic metabolites or lipids). Semi-quantitative (comparison between samples) 25-35 minute run with raw data available. Fee/injection.
• Profiling - Fluxomics (FLUX) - LCMS Run
  Use LCMS to acquire signals from specific stable isotopes labeled metabolites generated through incubation of tracers, such as 13C, 15N, 2H to study metabolic flux in specific pathways. Semi-quantitative (comparison between samples) 25-35 minute LCMS run with raw data available. Fee/injection.
• Quantification – Targeted Metabolites (QTM) - LCMS Run
  Use LCMS to quantify targets-of-your-interest (hydrophilic metabolites or lipids) from sample extractions. Internal standards and standard compounds for targets are required. Fee/injection.
• Untargeted Metabolomics – Hydrophilic Metabolites (UMHM) – LCMS Run
  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. Fee/injection.
• Sample Preparation
  Process samples for LCMS injection. Fee/hour.
• Data (LCMS) analysis
  For profiling services, targets will be annotated, and peak areas (artificial unit) will be reported for semi-quantification (comparison between samples). For quantification services, amount or concentration will be reported. Fee/hour. For untargeted metabolomics service, raw data will be provided, and researchers will choose their own choice of partners (including core’s collaborator from outside institute) to perform untargeted metabolomics analysis.
• Method Development
  Develop new assay per customer request.
• SeaHorse Analyzers
  Shared instruments will be provided for researchers to perform self-guided SeaHorse experiments. Fee/hour.
• Consulting