Mass spectrometry-based targeted and untargeted metabolite profiling, custom small molecule analysis and in vivo cellular respiration (Seahorse) technologies.
The mission of the Metabolomics Innovation Resource (MIR) at the Goodman Cancer Institute is to work collaboratively, functioning as an extension of each user’s laboratory. This includes planning/designing and executing studies as well as training researchers in our technologies. We specialize in covering a wide range of central carbon metabolites including unstable metabolites. Our robust methods can be used in stable isotope tracer analysis to deepen the understanding of metabolic pathway utilization under different nutrient conditions.
MIR employs expert staff in analytical chemistry and biochemistry with specific expertise in small molecule mass spectrometry and cellular respiration.
MIR currently houses 6 mass spectrometers and 3 Seahorse systems, which are used for metabolite profiling and client-driven custom projects.
- Central carbon metabolism (CCM) (>260 metabolites)
- Biogenic amines (>100 metabolites)
- Free fatty acids (FFAs) (non-esterified fatty acids)
- Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) (fatty acids resulting from complex lipids)
- Steroids
- Organic acids (including tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates)
- Amino acids and derivatives
- Unstable metabolites
- Stable isotope tracer analysis for all targeted methods
- Untargeted analyses: fermentomics, metabolomics, lipidomics
- Custom method and technology development
- Agriculture, animal science and food
- Education
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Forestry and forest-based industries
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Specialized labs and equipment
| Equipment | Function |
|---|---|
| Agilent 6470 UHPLC-QQQ mass spectrometry system | Triple quadrupole UHPLC-MS (ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry): ion pairing based method for targeted metabolite analysis. |
| Agilent 6430 UHPLC-QQQ mass spectrometry system | Triple quadrupole UHPLC-MS (ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry): targeted metabolite analysis. |
| Agilent 6530 UHPLC-QTOF mass spectrometry system | Quadrupole Time-of-Flight UHPLC-MS (ultra high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry): ion pairing based method for stable isotope tracer analysis and untargeted metabolite analysis. |
| Agilent 6545 UHPLC-QTOF mass spectrometry system | Quadrupole Time-of-Flight UHPLC-MS (ultra high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry): stable isotope tracer analysis, untargeted metabolite and lipidomic analysis. |
| Agilent 5977C GC/MSD mass spectrometry system | Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS): organic acids, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, stable isotope tracer analysis and other metabolite analysis. |
| Agilent 5975C GC/MSD mass spectrometry system | Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS): organic acids, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, stable isotope tracer analysis and other metabolite analysis. |
| Agilent 1260 Infinity II SFC System | High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). Lipid and chiral separation. |
| Agilent Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer | Cellular respiration: 96-well platform. |
| Agilent Seahorse XFe24 Analyzer | Cellular respiration: 24-well platform. |
| Agilent Seahorse XFp Analyzer | Cellular respiration: 6-well platform. |
Additional information
| Title | URL/Hyperlink |
|---|---|
| Metabolomics Innovation Resource (MIR) Google Scholar page. | https://scholar.google.ca/citations?hl=en&user=AU2v8P8AAAAJ&sortby=pubdate&view_op=list_works&gmla=… |
| Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer project: Exploiting metabolic weaknesses in breast cancer to yield new treatments for women with metastatic and drug resistant disease. | https://www.tfri.ca/our-research/research-project/targeting-metabolic-vulnerabilities-in-cancer |
| Killing cancer cells by stopping them from using oxygen and sugar. | https://cancer.ca/en/research/for-researchers/funding-results/breakthrough-team-grants/killing-canc… |