Untargeted Profiling of Metabolites

Creative Proteomics has accumulated rich experimental experience and unique insights into metabolomics analysis and can provide a one-stop untargeted profiling service of metabolites for our customers.

Untargeted metabolomics analysis is a commonly used metabolomics research method, usually using LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR, and other technologies for unbiased detection of all cells, tissues, organs, or organisms before and after stimulation or perturbation. Dynamic changes of small-molecule metabolites (mainly endogenous small-molecule compounds with relative molecular weights within 1000 Da). The differential metabolites were screened by bioinformatics analysis, and the pathway analysis of the differential metabolites was carried out to reveal the physiological mechanism of their changes. Comparing the differential metabolites between the experimental group and the control group provides a basis for the development of disease biomarkers, disease pathogenesis, and drug treatment mechanisms.

Service Content of Untargeted Profiling of Metabolites

Gas chromatography (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography (LC-MS) are commonly used detection techniques in this service. Based on the established mass spectrometry facility platform, Creative Proteomics launches an untargeted metabolomics analysis service. In this service, you only need to inform your experimental purpose and send us your samples, and we will develop a tailor-made solution for you. We are also responsible for all follow-up matters of the project, including sample quasi-processing, mass spectrometry analysis, mass spectrometry raw data analysis, and bioinformatics analysis.

Mass Spectrometry Facilities and Projects

• Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (TOF)
• Agilent 6475 Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer
• Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Fortis Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer
• Thermo Scientific™ Orbitrap Elite Combined Ion Trap Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

Requirements for Samples

• Microbial and cellular samples require rapid blunting of metabolic activity (quenching) while keeping cells from lysing.
• Animal body fluids (e.g., urine, blood, tissues, organs, saliva) should be rapidly pretreated after sampling, e.g., by adding anticoagulants, and preservatives, and immediately stored at -80℃.
• Plant samples are frozen (liquid nitrogen) rapidly after collection and then transferred to -80℃ for storage.
• Serum samples should not be less than 200 µL and avoid repeated freezing and thawing.
• Urine samples 1 mL, sent frozen at -80℃.
• Please provide the specific concentration, volume, preparation time, and source of each sample. And inform the sample information as well as the control and experimental samples (if there is a group, describe the group information in detail.)

Deliverables

• Experimental steps
• Relevant mass spectrometry parameters
• Details of the identified phosphorylation sites
• Mass spectrometry images
• Raw data

Advantages and Disadvantages of Untargeted Profiling of Metabolites

• The GC-MS technique has the characteristics of maturity, stability, high resolution, and more accurate characterization due to the relatively complete database, but the disadvantages are mainly in the complexity of sample processing, and the difficulty of characterization and quantification for substances that are not easily derivatized, which affects the application of this technique in a wider range.
• The LC-MS technique has the advantages of simple sample preparation, good experimental reproducibility, high resolution, and wide separation and analysis range, but the disadvantages are mainly in the lack of a perfect database and the relative difficulty of characterization.

Service Process

Creative Proteomics has long been engaged in untargeted metabolomics analysis service and has received wide recognition. If you are interested in our untargeted profiling service of metabolites, please contact us today for a detailed protocol.