The Analytical Core for Metabolomics and Nutrition has a wide variety of instrumentation and the ability to analyze many types of compounds with excellent sensitivity requiring small sample sizes. The minimum amount of sample required will depend on the analysis requested. Samples can be from any animal, plant or food source. Examples are plasma, serum, red blood cells, white blood cells, milk, saliva, tissues, cells, membrane fractions and plant vegetable oils.

See below for the full list of compounds for each category. 

Sample preparation and concentration

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place for several methods of sample preparation, concentration or purification of target compounds. These methods include:

  • Semi-preparative HPLC
  • Solvent extraction and concentration
  • Speedvac concentration
  • Freeze-dryer concentration

Service requests and fees

Contact us for service requests and fee information.

Services

Amino acids
  • Amino acid analysis can be targeted or comprehensive.
  • Homocysteine, methionine, cysteine (HPLC-MSMS)
  • Homocysteine, methionine, cysteine, cystathionine, glycine, serine, tryptophan.(HPLC-MSMS)
  • Amino acids in a single run using a Hitachi AAA amino acid analyzer and fluorescence detection.
    • Aspartate, threonine, serine, glutamate, glycine, alanine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, arginine, proline
Cancer

Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer (product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request).

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect. 

  • AFP: Alpha fetoprotein. Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma, amniotic fluid can be analyzed
  • CA 125 II: Ovarian cancer OC125 antigenCA 15-3 Human breast cancer: detection of antibodies against 115D8 (human milk fat globule membrane, and DF3 a membrane fraction isolated from metastatic breast cancer cells. Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
  • CA 19-9XR: 1116-NS-19-9 antibody. Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
  • CEA: Carcinoembryonic antigen.Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
  • CYFRA 21-1: Cytokeratin 19. Serum; EDTA plasma (no heparin)
  • HE-4: Human epididymous protein 4. Serum only can be used for this assay
  • Pepsinogen I: Serum; EDTA or citrate plasma (no heparin)
  • Pepsinogen II: Serum; EDTA or citrate plasma (no heparin)
  • PIVKA-II: Abnormal des-carboxylated prothrombin (DCP) present in vitamin K deficiency or patients treated with warfarin or phenprocoumon. Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
  • ProGRP: Pro-gastrin releasing peptide. Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
  • PSA (free): Prostate specific antigen. Only serum can be used for this assay
  • PSA (total): Prostate specific antigen. Only serum can be used for this assay
  • SCC: Squamous cell carcinoma antigen. Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
Cannabinoid / medical marijuana

All compounds are analyzed by HPLC-MSMS. Sample source can be plasma, serum or plant oil extracts. Amount of sample required will depend on the sample source. Plant oil extracts require very small amounts. Plasma/serum depends on the pharmacokinetics of these compounds and the time when, post-ingestion of the oils, the blood is drawn.

 

  • Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)
  • 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH), breakdown product of Δ9-THC11-Hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC)   breakdown product of Δ9-THC
  • Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)  precursor to Δ9-THC
  • Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
  • Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
  • Cannabinol (CBN)
  • Cannabidiol (CBD)
  • Cannabichromene (CBC)
  • Cannabigerol (CBG)
  • Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
Cardiac

All compounds are analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.)

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect.

  • BNP: Human B-type natriuretic peptide. Only EDTA plasma can be used with this analyses kit and only plastic tubes as BNP is unstable in glass tubes.
  • CK-MB: Creatine kinase membrane protein. Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
  • Galectin-3: Beta galactoside binding lectin. Serum; EDTA plasma (no heparin)
  • Myoglobin: Heme protein related to oxygen supply in cytoplasm of cardiac and skeletal muscle cells. Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
  • Troponin-I: Regulatory subunit of troponin complex associated with actin filaments within cardiac muscle. Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
  • Troponin-I (high sensitivity): Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
  • Homocysteine: Serum; heparin or EDTA plasma
Congenitals

All compounds are analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.)  

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect. 

  • CMV IgG: Detection of IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • CMV IgG Avidity: Detection of binding strength of IgG to cytomegalovirus. Serum; heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • CMV IgM: Detection of IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Rubella IgG: Detection of IgG antibodies to the rubella virus. Serum; heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Rubella IgM: Detection of IgM antibodies to the rubella virus.Serum; heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Toxo IgG: Detection of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii protozoan parasite. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Toxo IgG Avidity: Detection of binding strength of IgG to Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Toxo IgM: Detection of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii protozoan parasite. Serum, heparin or EDTA plasma
Fertility / pregnancy

All compounds are analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.)

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect. 

  • DHEA-S: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate—most abundant adrenal androgen. Serum; heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Estradiol: Natural estrogen in humans. Serum; heparin, or potassium EDTA plasma
  • FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone. Serum; heparin, or EDTA plasma
  • hCG (Total Beta-hCG): Human chorionic gonadotropin sialoglycoprotein. Serum; sodium heparin or potassium EDTA plasma
  • LH: Luteinizing hormone. Serum; sodium heparin or potassium EDTA plasma Progesterone: Serum; heparin or potassium EDTA plasma
  • Prolactin: Serum; heparin, or EDTA plasma
  • SHBG: Sex hormone binding globulin. Serum or heparin plasma.EDTA, fluoride or citrate plasma cannot be used.
  • Testosterone: Serum; heparin, or EDTA plasma
  • Testosterone 2nd generation: Serum; heparin, or EDTA plasma
Hepatitis

All compounds are analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.) 

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect.

  • Anti-HAVAb- IgG: Detection of IgG antibody to hepatitis A virus. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Anti-HAVAb- IgM: Detection of anti-hepatitis A virus IgM antibodies. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Anti-HBC: Hepatitis B virus core antigen. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Anti-HBc IgM: Detection of IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Anti-HBe: Hepatitis B e is an antigen detected very early in hepatitis B viral infection. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Anti-HBs: Hepatitis B surface antigen. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Anti-HCV: Hepatitis C virus core antigen. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • HBeAg: Hepatitis B e is an antigen detected very early in hepatitis B viral infection. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • HBsAg (Qualitative Conf): Hepatitis B virus surface antigen. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • HBsAg (Qualitative): Hepatitis B virus surface antigen. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • HBsAg (Quantitative): Hepatitis B virus surface antigen. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
Infectious disease

All compounds are analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.)

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect.

  • Chagas: American Trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma cruzii. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • EBV EBNA-1-IgG: Detection of IgG antibodies to Epstein Barr virus nuclear antigen-1. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • EBV VCA IgG: Detection of IgG antibodies to Epstein Barr virus viral capsid antigen. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • EBC VCA IgM: Detection of IgM antibodies to Epstein Barr virus viral capsid antigen. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • Syphilis TP: Detection of antibodies to Treponema pallidum. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
Lipids

Sample type can be virtually anything: plasma, serum, milk, tissues.

We have the ability to detect 48 different fatty acids (~35 normally present in samples), including metabolically active arachidonic (AA), eicosapentanoic (EPA) and docosahexanoic (DHA) acids. Sample analysis can be total fatty acids, or we can separate, quantitate and collect each lipid class (triglycerides, phospholipids, etc.) and then analyze the individual fatty acids from each lipid class.

Rat jejunum sample showing lipid classes that can be purified, collected and analyzed by other means.

  

CE = cholesteryl ester
TG = triglyceride
FC = free cholesterol
FFA = free fatty acids
PE = phosphatidylethanolamine
PI = phosphatidylinositol
PS = phosphatidylserine
PC = phosphatidylcholine
SPH = sphingomyelin
LPC = lysophosphatidylcholine


GC chromatogram of plasma total fatty acid analysis.

Fatty acid results are normally expressed in percentage of weight of each fatty acid. A sample report is shown below:

Plasma/serum total cholesterol

  • Colorimetric, spectrophotometric assay

Plasma/serum triglyceride levels

  • Colorimetric, spectrophotometric assay
Metabolic

Active-B12 (Holotranscobalamin) vitamin B12/cobalamin complex contains the biologically available form of B12

  • Abbott Architect Immunoanalyzer
  • Samples type:  human serum, other sample types should not be used

Vitamin B12 (Total) 

  • Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer
  • Sample type:  human plasma (lithium heparin, sodium heparin or dipotassium EDTA) or serum 

Methylmalonic acid (functional indicator of vitamin B12 status) 

  • HPLC MS/MS
  • Sample type: human serum or plasma (lithium heparin or EDTA), dried blood spots
  • Analyses includes 2-methylcitric acid and succinic acid

C-peptide  

  • Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer
  • Human peptide connecting A & B chains of insulin in the precursor molecule proinsulin
  • serum; heparin or EDTA plasma

Cortisol:

  • Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer
  • Major glucocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex
  • Human serum; heparin or EDTA plasma, urine.

Ferritin:

  • Abbott Architect Immunoanalyzer

  • Iron binding protein found in human plasma/serum.  About 2/3 iron stores are found in ferritin

  • Sample type:  human samples only.

    • Serum is preferred

    • Tripotassium EDTA can be used although the values will be about 10% below those given by serum
    • Heparin can be used although the values will be higher than those given by serum

Folate:

  • Abbott Architect Immunoanalyzer
  • Sample type:  human serum or plasma (lithium heparin)

Red blood cell folate

  • Abbott Architect Immunoanalyzer
  • Sample type:  whole blood collected in vacutainers (dipotassium EDTA or tripotassium EDTA)

Reduced folate forms and unmetabolized folic acid

  • HPLC MSMS (externally validated assay)
  • Sample type: human serum or plasma (lithium heparin), whole blood collected in vacutainers (heparin), washed red blood cells

Hemoglobin A1c (Monitoring)

  • Abbott Architect Immunoanalyzer
  • Whole blood collected into EDTA tubes.  Do not use heparin with this assay.

Homocysteine

  • Abbott Architect Immunoanalyzer
  • Sample type:  human serum or plasma 

Insulin 

  • Abbott Architect Immunoanalyzer
  • Sample type:  human serum; heparin or EDTA plasma

Intact PTH   Intact parathyroid hormone

  • Abbott Architect Immunoanalyzer
  • Serum, heparin or potassium EDTA plasma

Vitamin D

  • Abbott Architect Immunoanalyzer for 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 only.  Serum, heparin or EDTA plasma 
  • HPLC-MSMS.  Cholecalciferol (non-hydroxylated vitamin D3), 25 hydroxy vitamin D3, 24,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3.  Serum or plasma.

Lutein

  • HPLC photodiode array detection
  • Serum or plasma 

Pyroglutamic acid

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human)
  • Volume serum/plasma required:  25-50ul

Methionine

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human)
  • Volume serum/plasma required:  25-50ul
  • Analyses include cysteine and homocysteine

Cysteine

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human)
  • Volume serum/plasma required:  25-50ul
  • Analyses include homocysteine and methionine

Choline

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human), tissues, milk 
  • Volume serum/plasma required:  25-50ul
  • Analyses include betaine and dimethylglycine

Betaine

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human), tissues, milk 
  • Volume serum/plasma required:  25-50ul
  • Analyses include choline and dimethylglycine

Dimethylglycine

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human), tissues, 
  • Analyses include choline and betaine

Trimethylamine

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Sample type:  serum/plasma or urine  (animal or human)
  • Analyses includes trimethylamine oxide

Trimethylamine oxide

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Sample type:  serum/plasma or urine (animal or human)
  • Analyses includes trimethylamine

S-adenosyl methionine and S-adenosyl homocysteine

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Samples type:  serum/plasma, tissues (must be specially prepared)

Taurine

  • HPLC MS/MS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human), tissues
  • Analyses include choline, betaine, dimethylglycine, methionine, homocysteine, serine, glycine, cystathionine, cysteine

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5’-phosphate, pyridoxal, pyridoxic acid)

  • HPLC MS/MS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human)
  • Analyses include riboflavin, FMN, FAD, tryptophan, kynurenine metabolites

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin, FMN, FAD)

  • HPLC MS/MS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human)
  • Analyses include pyridoxal 5’-phosphate, pyridoxal, pyridoxic acid, tryptophan, kynurenine metabolites

Tryptophan and kynurenine metabolites (…)

  • HPLC MS/MS
  • Sample type:  serum or plasma (animal or human)
  • Analyses include pyridoxal 5’-phosphate, pyridoxal, pyridoxic acid, riboflavin, FMN, FAD
Metabolomics

ACMan is developing both targeted and discovery workflows for metabolomics, initially in plasma and urine. Other sample types will be possible in the future.

These analyses involve the use of High Pressure liquid chromatography and quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF) and Agilent Mass Profiler Professional (MPP) chemometric analyses software.  Samples are analyzed in a focused approach using reverse phase (RP) chromatography for hydrophilic compounds and hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HILIC) for hydrophobic compounds in both positive and negative ion mass spectrometry (4 separate analyses). 

Targeted workflow involves the use of analytical standards used in the newborn screening program at C&W.  These standards are included with every sample set in order to accurately identify 138 compounds that are targeted to major metabolic pathways including amino acids, purine/pyrimidine, organic acids and acyl carnitines. 

Discovery workflow is all remaining peaks (or entities) in the chromatogram that are not part of the targeted compounds.  For plasma samples there are typically between 2,000 -3,000 entities. 

The PowerPoint presentation below illustrates a pilot project designed by Dr. Graham Sinclair to identify preanalytical variables (freeze-thaw, delayed processing, postprandial vs fasting blood collection) that could potentially affect results in all studies.

Methyl Metabolites

Dominguez-Salas et al. AJCN 2013

HPLC MSMS is used for analysis of all the following compounds:

  • Homocysteine
  • Methionine
  • Serine
  • Glycine
  • Cysteine
  • Cystathionine
  • Free choline
  • Phosphocholine
  • Glycerophosphocholine
  • Betaine
  • Dimethylglycine
  • S-adenosyl methionine
  • S-adenosyl homocysteine
Proteins

Analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.) 

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect.

  • Anti-CCP Cyclic citrullinated peptide, used in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Serum, heparin or EDTA plasma.
Renal

Analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.)

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect.

  • NGALNeutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin may be an early marker of acute kidney injury Human urine sample only
Retrovirus

All compounds analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.)

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect

  •  Anti-HTLV-I/HTLV-II detection of antibodies to human T lymphotropic virus I and II. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
  • HIV Ag/Ab Combo detection of human immunodeficiency virus antigen and antibody combination. Serum, heparin, citrate or EDTA plasma
Sterols
  • Cholesterol
  • Lathosterol
  • Plant sterols:
    • Sitosterol
    • Stigmasterol
    • Brassicasterol
    • Dihydrocholesterol
    • Desmosterol
    • Lanosterol
    • Campesterol
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

All compounds analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.)

Only human samples can be analyzed on the Abbott Architect.

  • Carbamazepine: Serum, heparin (plastic) or EDTA (glass) plasma
  • Digoxin: Serum, heparin or EDTA plasma gentamicin serum, heparin (plastic) or EDTA (glass) plasma
  • Methotrexate: Serum, heparin or EDTA plasma (protect from light)
  • Phenobarbital: Serum, heparin or EDTA plasma
  • Phenytoin: Serum, heparin, EDTA or citrated plasma
  • Theophylline: Serum, heparin, EDTA, citrate or fluoride plasma
  • Valproic Acid: Serum or heparin, EDTA plasma
  • Vancomycin: Serum, heparin, EDTA, citrate or fluoride plasma
Thyroid

All compounds analyzed using the Abbott Architect immunoanalyzer. (Product package inserts/instructions and sample handling information are available on request.)

Only human samples can be analyzed.

  • TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone.
  • Free T4: Free thyroxine in serum or heparin, EDTA or citrate plasma.
  • Total T4: Total thyroxine in serum or heparin, EDTA or citrate plasma.
  • Free T3: Free triiodothyronine in serum or heparin, EDTA or citrate plasma.
  • Total T3: Total triiodothyronine in serum or heparin, EDTA or citrate plasma.
  • Anti-TG: Antibodies against thyroglobulin as diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis. Serum or plasma samples can be used.
  • Anti-TPO: Antibodies to thyroid peroxidase, a membrane bound protein that iodinates tyrosine in the synthesis of T3 and T4. Autoimmune disease.
  • T-uptake: A measure of total binding capacity in human serum or plasma for thyroid hormone levels.
  • TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone also called thyrotropin. Serum, heparin or EDTA plasma.
Transplant
  • Cyclosporine: Cyclic undecapeptide acts as a potent immunosuppressant. Whole blood collected into EDTA tubes.
  • Sirolimus: Also called rapamune or rapamycin is an immunosuppressive drug for renal transplant immunosuppressive therapy. Whole blood collected into EDTA tubes.
  • Tacrolimus: Immunosuppressant used in kidney and liver transplants. Whole blood collected into EDTA tubes.
Vitamins

Vitamin A

  • HPLC photodiode array detection

Vitamin D3  

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Also includes 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 and 24, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3

25 hydroxy vitamin D3

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Includes vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and 24, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3

24, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D3

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Includes 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Vitamin D2

  • HPLC MSMS

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Includes vitamin B6 forms

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxal, pyridoxic acid)

  • HPLC MSMS

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin, FMN, FAD)

  • HPLC MSMS
  • Holotranscobalamin (Active-B12)
  • Abbott Architect (see metabolic group for more information)

Total vitamin B12

  • Abbott Architect (see metabolic group for more information)
  • Folate (total folate and reduced folate forms/folic acid)
  • HPLC MSMS