Services
The metabolomics core facility staff is on hand to enable our researchers to make breakthroughs, and we¡¯re keen to engage in new projects. We¡¯ve spent the past 20 years optimizing our protocols and continue to do so on an ongoing basis. Best results are achieved in partnership, so please approach the core as early as possible when considering experiments to achieve the best experimental outcome.
The Metabolomics Facility guides investigators through the experimental design and statistical considerations of their metabolomics studies. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss your project.
Metabolomics
IC-MS
Up to 301 polar metabolites in glycolysis, TCA cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, nucleotide metabolism, and a number of additional pathways. This assay is often coupled with stable isotope tracing from 13C6-glucose, 1,2-13C2-glucose, 13C3-lactate, or 13C5-glutamine (see stable isotope tracing service description below).
HILIC-MS
Approximately 300 polar metabolites.
Lipidomics
Approximately 1,000 lipids.
Bile Acids
Chenodeoxycholate, cholate, deoxycholate, glycochenodeoxycholate, glycocholate, glycodeoxycholate, glycohyodeoxycholate, glycolithocholate, glycoursodeoxycholate, hyodeoxycholate, lithocholate, taurochenodeoxycholate, taurocholate, taurodeoxycholate, taurohyodeoxycholate, taurolithocholate, tauroursodeoxycholate, ursodeoxycholate.
Carbohydrates
Arabinose, fructose, galactose, galacturonate, glucuronate, glucosamine, glucose, mannose, N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), rhamnose, ribose, xylose.
Fatty Acids, Short-Chain (SCFAs)
Acetate, propionate, butyrate, pentanoate.
Fatty Acids, Medium- and Long-Chain
Approximately 50 medium- and long-chain fatty acids.
Amino Acids
4-hydroxyproline, acetylcholine, alanine (Ala), arginine (Arg), asparagine (Asn), carnitine, citrulline, creatine, creatinine, cysteine (Cys), cystine (Cys-Cys), gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamine (Gln), glycine (Gly), histidine (His), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), ornithine, phenylalanine (Phe), proline (Pro), sarcosine, serine (Ser), taurine, threonine (Thr), tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), valine (Val).
Tryptophan Metabolism
1-methylindole, 3-methylindole, 5-hydroxyindoleacetate, anthranilate, dopamine, indole, indole-3-acetate, indole-3-acrylate, indole-3-carboxyaldehyde, indole-3-lactate, indole-3-propionate, indoxyl acetate, indoxyl-3-sulfate, kynurenine, serotonin, tryptamine, tryptophan (Trp).
Glutathione
Reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione.
NADH/NADPH
NADH, NAD+, NADPH, NADP+.
CoAs
Acetyl-CoA, succinyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA.
Polyamines
Acetylcadaverine, acetylputrescine, acetylspermidine, acetylspermine, arginine, cadaverine, diacetylspermine, hypusine, ornithine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine.
L-, D-2-HG
Chiral separation and quantitation of L- and D-2-hydroxyglutarate by LC-MS/MS.
Custom Analysis (targeted)
Don't see your target analyte listed on our menu? We can probably add it to one of our existing assays or build a new method. Most molecules can be added with 2-3 days of labor, which includes optimization of a range of parameters including extraction/recovery. Challenging biological matrices (e.g., stool) and/or challenging analytes often require more time.
Stable Isotope Tracing
Example tracers include 13C6-glucose, 1,2-13C2-glucose, 13C3-lactate, 13C5-glutamine, 13C16-palmitate, 13C18-oleate, but other tracers can be used.
Analyzer Use and Other Services
Seahorse XFe96 Flux Analyzer ¨C instrument use only
Walk-up access to Seahorse XFe96 Flux Analyzer for trained users who provide their own reagents and labor. Cost is for single-day use.
Seahorse XFe96 Flux Analyzer ¨C instrument time and consumables
Seahorse assay (ATP production rate, glycolytic rate, etc.). Cost includes instrument time + consumables for 1 assay (plate).
Seahorse XFe96 Flux Analyzer ¨C full service
Seahorse assay (ATP production rate, glycolytic rate, etc.). Cost includes instrument time + consumables for 1 assay (plate) + labor (provided by core staff).
Tissue Sample Preparation
Cryopulverization, ceramic bead homogenization, and/or sonication to maximize extraction of analytes.
Total DNA Measurement (for Data Normalization)
Measurement of total DNA content per sample.
Advanced Data Analysis
Our default reporting pipelines for each platform above continue to evolve, but sometimes users need additional, custom analysis (e.g., advanced statistical analyses, pathway analyses, multi-omic data integration). Our data science team is available to assist with such requests.
Sample Submission
To set an appointment and discuss the details of your experimental design, please email us.
**Note: Samples will not be accepted without an appointment.
- Visit to register for an account. Once your account is set up, you can requests services through the Metabolomics iLab webpage.
- Upon approval of your online service request, you will be notified via email to set an appointment for sample drop off.
For any technical issues with registering your iLab account, please contact iLab Solutions Support.
Academic In-Network institutions are listed below:
- UT Systems
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Rice University
- University of Houston
- Texas A&M Institute of Biosciences & Technology (IBT)
- Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI)