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Services

The NIEHS Metabolomics Core Facility (MCF) aids researchers by offering a discovery-oriented selection of mass spectrometry analyses (e.g. untargeted metabolomics) with a focus on small molecules ( < 2000 Da) of endogenous, microbial, and xenobiotic origin in a variety of matrices including cell lysates, tissues, and biofluids (e.g. plasma, urine). Measurements provide the ability to perform relative quantification to determine which chemicals (known or unknown) are changing between samples. Alternatively, untargeted approaches can be used to ascertain and describe the chemical constituents of materials. Applications of our untargeted approaches include basic biological research, exposure research, biomarker discovery, translational research, clinical research, epidemiological research, and more.

The MCF offers our expertise for single sample analysis (e.g. metabolite identification), small pilot projects, and full projects (up to multi-year collaborative research). Core services include consultation in experimental design and sample processing, data acquisition, and tabular reporting of results. Additional collaborative support, including data analysis, interpretation, and assistance with reporting, is offered on a case-to-case basis.

The instrumentation, ultra-high performance liquid chromatographs and mass spectrometers, available in the MCF are state-of-the-art and offer a variety of measurement capabilities. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is the most common technique used in the MCF. We use different data acquisition strategies including single reaction monitoring (SRM or PRM), tandem mass spectrometry (aka MS/MS or MS2) via data-dependent acquisition (DDA), MS2 via iterative data-dependent using AcquireX, and others. The MCF utilize ion mobility spectrometry coupled to UHPLC-HRMS to distinguish isomers via their gas-phase collision cross section (CCS).

And emerging capability is hypothesis-oriented analysis from which absolute quantification can be performed. Hypothesis-oriented mass spectrometric analysis (e.g. targeted metabolomics or quantitative assays) will be offered to complement the measurements offered by the NIEHS Mass Spectrometry Research and Support Group (MSRSG). The MCF works in conjunction with the MSRSG to meet the needs of the intramural research program.

The MCF works in conjunction with the NIEHS Mass Spectrometry Research and Support Group (MSRSG) to provide complementary chemical measurements and data analysis, and for hypothesis-oriented mass spectrometric analysis (e.g. targeted metabolomics or quantitative assays) to meet the needs of intramural investigators. Please contact either Alan K. Jarmusch in MCF, Leesa J. Deterding in MSRSG, or Jason G. Williams for consultation.

To learn more about the MCF personnel, please review the About Us page.

Capabilities

  • Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS)
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS and MSn) via collision-induced dissociation (CID) or higher-energy collisional dissociation (HCD)
  • High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) up to 500,000 FWHM resolution at m/z 200
  • Ion Mobility Spectrometry – Mass Spectrometry (IMS-MS) up to ~R=200 (high resolution)

Equipment

  • Bruker Elute Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatograph
  • Bruker timsTOF Pro Mass Spectrometer
  • Hamilton STARlet Automated Liquid Handling System
  • Thermo Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid Mass Spectrometer
  • Thermo Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid Mass Spectrometer
  • Thermo Vanquish Horizon Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatographs
  • Sciex 7500 QTrap® Ready Mass Spectrometer
  • Shimadzu Nexera Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatograph

Offerings

  • Untargeted Metabolomics
  • Untargeted Exposomics
  • Characterization
  • Chemical identification
  • Untargeted Metabolomics Data Analysis
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Analytical Measurements (e.g. molecular weight, MS/MS, MSn, collision cross section)

Potentially Observed Chemicals

Sample Submission

NIEHS intramural researchers should visit the MCF page on the NIEHS Junction for details.

NIH intramural researchers (those not at NIEHS) should visit the NIH Metabolomics Consortium.

NIEHS Shared and Core Facilities are available to NIH researchers. Information for staff on utilizing these services may be found on the NIEHS Junction or by contacting the staff below.

Video

Contacts

Alan K. Jarmusch, Ph.D.
Alan K. Jarmusch, Ph.D.
Director, Metabolomics Core Facility (MCF)
Tel 984-287-4523
[email protected]
111 TW ALEXANDER DR
David P Rall Building
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Michael B. Fessler, M.D.
Michael B. Fessler, M.D.
Chief, Clinical Research Branch;
Clinical Director and Chair - Clinical Advisory Committee (CAC);
Principal Investigator
Tel 984-287-4081
[email protected]
NIH Intramural Profile Michael B. Fessler, M.D.
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop D2-01
Durham, NC 27709
Kaylie I. Donelson, Ph.D.
Kaylie I. Donelson, Ph.D.
Chemist
Tel 984-287-4632
[email protected]
111 TW ALEXANDER DR
David P Rall Building
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Kirsten E. Overdahl, Ph.D.
Kirsten E. Overdahl, Ph.D.
Chemist
Tel 984-287-4562
[email protected]
111 TW ALEXANDER DR
David P Rall Building
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Heather L. Winter, Ph.D.
Heather L. Winter, Ph.D.
Chemist
Tel 984-287-4589
[email protected]
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop F0-04
Durham, NC 27709
Danielle A. Lehman
Danielle A. Lehman
Contractor
Tel 984-287-4707
[email protected]
111 TW ALEXANDER DR
David P Rall Building
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709