About Metabolomics

What is Metabolomics?

Overview of Metabolomics

• Uses high‑throughput analytical technologies and advanced bioinformatics to measure and interpret small molecules in biological systems.
• Employs targeted and untargeted approaches across diverse sample types (e.g., plasma, urine, tissues, plant/microbial extracts).
• Generates metabolite profiles that capture real‑time cellular activity and biochemical changes.
• Supports biomarker discovery, assessment of genetic and environmental responses, drug/chemical evaluation, bioprospecting, and food quality monitoring.
• Requires rigorous study design, reliable sampling, and sensitive detection of chemically diverse metabolites.
• Relies on complementary analytical platforms for broad metabolite coverage and robust data quality.
• Uses specialised informatics pipelines for data extraction, quality control, pathway mapping, and biological interpretation.
• Core technologies include GC‑MS and LC‑MS, with extended capability from high‑resolution direct‑infusion methods such as FT‑ICR‑MS.
• Emerging Spatial (Imaging) Mass Spectrometry enables spatially resolved metabolite mapping within tissues.

Metabolomics integrates high-throughput analytical technologies with advanced bioinformatics to detect, quantify, and interpret metabolites within biological systems. By applying both targeted and untargeted approaches across diverse sample types – such as plasma, urine, tissues, plants, and microbial extracts – metabolomics generates comprehensive profiles that capture real-time cellular states.

These metabolite profiles enable researchers to:

• Identify biomarkers of health, disease, or physiological change
• Characterise responses to genetic, chemical, or environmental perturbations
• Support drug development and toxicological assessment
• Discover novel biomolecules through bioprospecting
• Assess food quality, authenticity, and composition

Experimental and Analytical Requirements

Effective metabolomics relies on rigorous experimental planning and reliable sampling to capture steady-state metabolite levels. Given the chemical diversity of metabolites, no single platform can measure everything; instead, complementary analytical and informatics systems are required.

Key elements include:

• Robust experimental design to ensure biological relevance and reproducibility
• High-quality sample preparation to maintain metabolite integrity
• Complementary analytical platforms for broad chemical coverage
• Advanced informatics pipelines for data extraction, QC, multivariate analysis, pathway mapping, and biological interpretation

Core Analytical Technologies

Metabolomics primarily uses mass spectrometry-based technologies for sensitive and accurate metabolite measurement:

• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Ideal for volatile and derivatised metabolites
• Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
• Suited to a broader and more chemically diverse metabolite range.
• Direct Infusion (such as Fourier-Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry)
• Offers ultra-high mass resolution and rapid profiling.
• Spatial (Imaging) Mass Spectrometry
• An emerging capability that enables spatially resolved metabolite mapping within tissues.

Metabolomics Applications and Services

At Metabolomics Australia (UoM node), we offer a comprehensive and customised metabolomics fee-for-service portfolio, delivering reliable and meaningful biological insights across diverse research applications.

Our capabilities include:

• Metabolite Profiling and Targeted Analysis – broad coverage of metabolites to uncover biological pathways and biomarkers
• Stable Isotope and Flux Analysis – track metabolic pathways using ¹³C, Deuterium, and other tracers
• Polar Metabolite Analysis – study central carbon metabolism, TCA cycle intermediates, fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, sugar phosphates, and alcohols
• Targeted Lipid Analysis – detailed profiling of cellular lipids and lipid dynamics
• Metabolomics Imaging Mass Spectrometry – spatial mapping of metabolites within tissues for high-resolution insights
• Analytical Platforms: GC-MS, LC-MS, Lipidomics, Spatial/Imaging Mass Spectrometry
• Data Analysis and Bioinformatics – processing, statistical analysis, and biological interpretation