Overview

The UC Riverside Metabolomics Core counts with an experienced team of scientist in Metabolomics, LC-MS and GC-MS approaches.  We have developed multiple analytical platforms geared towards specific classes of metabolites (targeted and untargeted Metabolomics, Lipidomics, sugars, medicinal drugs, environmental contaminants, phytohormones and a variety of other methods). Sample cost is largely dependent on the individual project being considered which can vary in sample preparation complexity, sample set size and analysis. Get your quote today!

Services can include:
Sample preparation / Metabolite extraction
(lyophilization/freeze drying and homogenization; monophasic, biphasic, solid-phase extraction and custom methods)
Data collection
(UPLC and GC metabolite separation coupled to MS detection; MS imaging experiments)
Data processing 
(Data alignment, peak identification, normalization and metabolite ID, peak integration)
Statistical analysis with interactive plots
(univariate, multivariate, post-hoc analysis, heat maps, PCA plots, box plots, violin plots and volcano plots)
Training and consultation
Training services in metabolomics, LC-MS or GC-MS is available 

• Targeted Metabolomics

  

  Central Carbon Metabolism

  Central Carbon Metabolomics consists of a targeted panel with over 200 metabolites:
  Glycolysis intermediates
  Organic acids (TCA cycle)
  Amino acids
  Purines
  Pyrimidines
  Many other small polar compounds

  Neutral Sugars

  A GC-MS assay capable of separating several neutral sugar isomers:
  Monosaccahrides
  Disaccharides
  Trisaccharides

  Phytohormones

  A targeted  panel of 8 phytohormones:
  Auxins (IAA, ICA)
  Cytokinins (trans-Zeatin)
  Jasmonic acid
  Jasmonic acid-Isoleucine
  OPDA
  Abscisic acid
  Salicylic acid

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• Untargeted Metabolomics
  

  
  Lipidomics

  Up to 300 lipids can be detected with this untargeted approach:
  Sphingomyelins
  Ceramides
  Phospholipids
  Sterols
  Fatty acids
  Triglycerides

  Secondary Metabolites

  The number and type of secondary metabolites detected with this untargeted approach is largely dependent on sample type, but typically include:
  Flavonoids
  Varied types of glycosides
  Sterols
  Phenolics
  Alkaloids
  Terpenoids
  Lipids
  +Many more

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• Bioinformatics
  

  Bioinformatics

  The UCR metabolomics core facility provides services in bioinformatics associated with Metabolomics. We provide an inhouse user friendly statistics solution which includes PCA plots, heat maps, hierarchical clustering tools, stacked bar plots box plots, violin plots and volcano plots. If you have specific bioinformatics needs including omics integration, biochemical pathway analysis, and others.

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• Environmental Sample Analysis
  

  Environmental Contaminants

  Panels for multiple types of drugs and environmental chemical contaminants, including microplastics.

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• MS-Imaging
  

  MS-Imaging

  The UCR Metabolomics core is equipped with a MALDI imaging source coupled to our Synapt G2 si. This instrumentation has enabled us to assist groups in developing specific protocols for imaging experiments. The MALDI source can also be used as a standard MALDI-TOF instrument.

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• PFAS
  

  PFAS

  A panel of 40+ PFAS molecules

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• Tailored LCMS
  

  Tailored Methods

  We can develop LC-MS and GC-MS based applications for a large variety of molecules

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• Metabolite Fractionation
  

  Workflow and Examples

  The metabolome is vast. Some estimate the number of unique metabolites (including secondary metabolites) to be greater than 1,000,000, most of which are still unknown. Fractionation is a strategy to reduce the complexity of a metabolite extract. Fractions can then be used as treatments in various systems (e.g. cell culture, plants). Fractions that exhibit activity (e.g. induce cell differentiation or increase pest resistance) can then be characterized using a metabolomics approach to identify the active metabolite.
  
  We can generate up to 96 fractions from a single metabolite extract in less than 4 hrs. The fractions are then dried under nitrogen, and re-suspended in a solvent compatible with treatment experiments.
  
  The experiment below demonstrates the utility of a fractionation approach. Metabolites were extracted from several different brightly colored flowers on the UCR campus. The resulting extract is dark yellow. This complex metabolite extract was fractionated into 48 less complex fractions by UPLC. After concentrating each fraction, most were clear, but several contained colorful metabolites. Those with the color of interest can be characterized by LC-MS.

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