UHR-Mass Spectrometry System for Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Imaging

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: Funded in 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 503287583

The Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec) at Bielefeld University operates the “Genomics” technology platform (TP). This TP makes "omics techniques" of genome, transcriptome, proteome and metabolome research available to a wide group of users. In addition to laboratory research, data storage and data analysis are centrally supported by locally developed and commercially available software offers. This is closely linked to the support provided by the German Network for Bioinformatics Infrastructure (de.NBI), which is coordinated in Bielefeld. In addition, extensive training courses on data evaluation are offered. With the establishment of the new "Faculty of Medicine", existing TPs are to be transferred to cross-faculty "core facilities (CFs)" and expanded. This application is part of the planned restructuring and expansion.For many working groups, metabolomic research has been an integral part of the molecular biological processing of various questions for many years. The biotechnological optimization of unicellular production organisms is a focus of CeBiTec, which is essentially dependent on the methods of metabolomic research. Part of this work is the analysis and optimization of metabolic pathways for the production of amino acids, amines, pharmacological molecules, terpenoids and polysaccharides. Another focus is the metabolic physiology of the plant, whereby regulatory mechanisms of secondary metabolite production and stress adaptation are analyzed. Finally, animal and human samples and cell cultures are analyzed in order to better understand physiological (mal) functions in the context of diseases. With the establishment of the new Faculty of Medicine, this area will become increasingly important.This technology was established as part of the DFG initiative “Imaging Mass Spectrometry (MSI)”. MSI, also in combination with multimodal imaging, is gaining increasing interest among many users of the TP. Newly appointed colleagues from the medical faculty show particular interest in MSI.Several GC-MS systems are available for metabolomic analyzes. For LC-MS analyzes, however, there is only one very old and, due to its age, not very sensitive device. In the case of isoform metabolites, there is no possibility of differentiation.The device applied for here is intended to serve both UHPLC-based metabolomic analysis and MSI analysis. In an increasing number of projects, the separation of isobaric and isomeric molecules and a very sensitive, imaging, detection of metabolites is important. High mass accuracy and MS / MS capability are required for identification. The device applied for is to be used across the university as a central device for LC-MS analysis of metabolites in the core facility "Omics", which is currently being set up.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: UHR-Massenspektrometer zur Metabolomforschung und Bildgebung
• Instrumentation Group: 1700 Massenspektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Bielefeld
• Leader: Professor Dr. Karsten Niehaus