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Metabolomics Core

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Metabolomics

 

     

Advancing Metabolomics Research

The Metabolomics Core at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is dedicated to supporting biomedical research through cutting-edge mass spectrometry techniques for the detection and quantification of small molecules (metabolites) in biological samples. Directed by Dr. Junco Warren, an assistant professor at the research institute with extensive expertise in metabolomics analysis of tissue and plasma samples, the core is committed to advancing our understanding of metabolism in health and disease.

Metabolomics is the comprehensive study of metabolites — small molecules that represent a wide variety of chemical compounds, including amino acids, lipids, organic acids, drugs, and environmental chemicals. These metabolites, collectively referred to as the metabolome, can be altered by physiological or pathological stimuli, providing crucial insights into biological processes.

The Metabolomics Core operates two state-of-the-art mass spectrometry systems:

GCMS - Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8050 NX EI/CI/NCI: This triple-quadrupole system is capable of ultra-trace analysis down to the femtogram level. With advanced detection technology and noise-reduction capabilities, it is ideal for detecting sugars, glycolysis intermediates, TCA cycle intermediates, amino acids, fatty acids, and a variety of other compounds.

Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8050 NX EI/CI/NCI
Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8050 NX EI/CI/NCI

LCMS — Agilent 6545 qTOF UHPLC-MS: This high-resolution system is used for a wide range of metabolomics applications, including the analysis of acylcarnitines, adenine nucleotides, and many other metabolites. It offers high sensitivity and precision for both targeted and untargeted metabolomics studies.

Agilent 6545 qTOF UHPLC-MS
Agilent 6545 qTOF UHPLC-MS (Image source: Agilent)

The Metabolomics Core accepts a variety of biological samples for analysis, including but not limited to:

  • Heart tissue (minimum 20 mg)
  • Skeletal muscle tissue (minimum 20 mg)
  • Liver tissue (minimum 20 mg)
  • Brain tissue (minimum 20 mg)
  • Plasma samples (minimum 20 µL)

Please consult with our team for specific sample requirements, as the amount needed may vary depending on the analysis type. We provide established extraction protocols for listed samples. For unlisted sample types, researchers are responsible for optimizing their extraction protocols.

 

How to Begin Your Study

To initiate a collaboration with the Metabolomics Core:

  1. Contact Dr. Junco Warren at (juncowarren@vtc.vt.edu) to discuss your project.
  2. If approved, schedule a meeting with the Metabolomics Team to present your research aims and hypothesis.
  3. Submit your Investigator Submission Form to Dr. Alexey Zaitsev (zaitsev@vt.edu) , ensuring the sample names match the labels on your sample tubes.
  4. Prepare and ship your samples on dry ice, ensuring they meet the required standards for metabolomics analysis.
  5. Purchase and provide any necessary supplies and consumables for GCMS and LCMS analysis. For shipping, please contact Dr. Alexey Zaitsev and ask for shipping information.

Metabolomics Team

Selected Publications Representing Metabolomics Study

Perm1 regulates cardiac energetics as a downstream target of the histone methyltransferase Smyd1. Oka SI, Sabry AD, Horiuchi AK, Cawley KM, O'Very SA, Zaitsev MA, Shankar TS, Byun J, Mukai R, Xu X, Torres NS, Kumar A, Yazawa M, Ling J, Taleb I, Saijoh Y, Drakos SG, Sadoshima J, Warren JS. PLoS One (2020), PMID: 32574189

Histone methyltransferase Smyd1 regulates mitochondrial energetics in the heart. Warren JS, Tracy CM, Miller MR, Makaju A, Szulik MW, Oka SI, Yuzyuk TN, Cox JE, Kumar A, Lozier BK, Wang L, Llana JG, Sabry AD, Cawley KM, Barton DW, Han YH, Boudina S, Fiehn O, Tucker HO, Zaitsev AV, Franklin S. PNAS (2018), PMID: 30061404

Metabolic reprogramming via PPARα signaling in cardiac hypertrophy and failure: From metabolomics to epigenetics. Warren JS, Oka SI, Zablocki D, Sadoshima J. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. (2017), PMID: 28646024

Shibayama J, Yuzyuk TN, Cox J, Makaju A, Miller M, Lichter J, Li H, Leavy JD, Franklin S, Zaitsev AV*. Metabolic remodeling in moderate synchronous versus dyssynchronous pacing-induced heart failure: integrated metabolomics and proteomics study. PLoS One.2015;10(3):e0118974. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118974. eCollection 2015. PubMed PMID: 25790351; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4366225.

Contacts

Junco Warren, Ph.D
juncowarren@vtc.vt.edu
540-526-2293

Alexey Zaitsev, Ph.D.
zaitsev@vtc.vt.edu
540-526-2366