Metal Analysis Targeted Panel

Metabolon Target

Metal Analysis Targeted Panel

R 23 Metabolites

R Absolute Quantitation

R Rigorous Quality Control

R End-to-end Service

About Metal Analysis

Metabolon’s ICP-MS-based Metal Analysis Targeted Panel provides precise measurements of biologically important metal ions in biological samples. In addition to the well-established problems of toxicity associated with several metals, the vital roles these ions play in a variety of biological pathways, whether by catalyzing enzymatic reactions or stabilizing protein structures, are still being elucidated. Intimately intertwined with the proteome and metabolome, metal ions represent an intrinsic piece vital to the holistic understanding of biological phenomena ranging from development through normal functioning and disease. Without an understanding of the roles of these metals, a complete understanding of biological processes is not possible. Metabolon’s Metal Analysis Targeted Panel measures a variety of metal ions ranging from the macro level (ppm), including Na, K, and Ca, to the micro-level (ppb), including Mo, Cu, and Ni.

Metabolomics reveals biological insights otherwise unseen. For a successful metabolomics study, both small molecule discovery and the ability to dig deeper into specific biomarkers of interest are needed to uncover actionable insights that propel new therapeutic developments. A specific combination of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology and biochemical expertise is required to identify these biomarkers of interest and develop assays that are sensitive enough to explore them fully.

At Metabolon, we understand the crucial role metal ions play in biological processes, and we’ve established best-in-class expertise for their detection. This panel focuses on the detection of specific metal ions which can be used to enhance biological understanding across preclinical and clinical research.

Metal Analysis Targeted Panel Details

Swipe left/right to view the full table.

LLOQ*
Metabolite Plasma/Serum/Urine
Na 160,000 µg/L (ppb)
Mg 1000 µg/L (ppb)
K 8000 µg/L (ppb)
Ca 4000 µg/L (ppb)
Fe 40.0 µg/L (ppb)
Cu 40.0 µg/L (ppb)
Zn 40.0 µg/L (ppb)
Al 15.7 µg/L (ppb)
Cr 6.25 µg/L (ppb)
Sr 5.00 µg/L (ppb)
Se 4.00 µg/L (ppb)
Ni 2.00 µg/L (ppb)
Ba 2.00 µg/L (ppb)
As 1.25 µg/L (ppb)
V 1.25 µg/L (ppb)
Tl 0.500 µg/L (ppb)
Pb 0.400 µg/L (ppb)
Mn 0.400 µg/L (ppb)
Cd 0.250 µg/L (ppb)
Sb 0.250 µg/L (ppb)
Co 0.250 µg/L (ppb)
Ag 0.250 µg/L (ppb)
Mo 0.250 µg/L (ppb)
*Lower Limit of Quantitation (LLOQ) varies for each sample type.

Analysis Method and Instrumentation:
ICP-MS (Thermo ICAP-RQ)

Sample Type and Required Amounts
Sample Type Sample Requirements
Plasma/Serum ≥ 150 µL

Others on request

Disclaimer: This panel is for Research Use Only and is not to be used for diagnostic purposes.

Delivering Absolute Quantification for Research and Biomarker Analysis

Our readily available or custom developed quantitative assays help you achieve your research and biomarker validation objectives with precise and fully validated methods. Our targeted assays and panels cover >1,000 metabolites and lipids across a wide range of biochemical classes, metabolic pathways, and physiological processes, and they can be customized to best fit any application.

Metal Analysis Targeted Panel Applications

Cardiovascular Diseases

Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, and there are numerous factors that lead to this and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Metabolomics can illuminate cardiovascular disease at multiple levels. In preclinical studies, such as with cardiomyocytes or heart tissue from model organisms, understanding mitochondrial function, energetics, and redox status can drive critical insights into disease mechanisms. In human studies, metabolomics offers the opportunity to account for well-established CVD risk factors such as cholesterol and complex lipids, while simultaneously profiling thousands of other biochemicals in an unbiased fashion to enable the discovery of novel disease mechanisms and biomarkers.
Cardiovascular Disease
covid

COVID

Recognized for our cutting-edge approach to metabolomics, Metabolon has been a valued resource for COVID-19 researchers worldwide. Our actionable metabolomic insights have fueled pivotal and high-profile studies like the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) IMPACC study research to improve understanding of high-risk patients and the Institute for Systems Biology research to improve understanding of high-risk patients. These and other metabolomics projects with actionable insights at Metabolon are helping get closer to the phenotype and pressing forward on COVID-19 answers.

Inflammation

The importance of inflammation in the development of multiple diseases- and health-related conditions including neurodegeneration, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease is undisputed. Metabolomics can inform on inflammatory processes by providing a readout of the small molecules of an organism, tissue, biofluid, etc. This allows for direct molecular phenotyping of inflammation beyond the standard protein markers of typical assays. Metabolon offers several targeted assays, including oxysterols, fatty acids, kynurenine/tryptophan, and a range of others (central carbon, glucose tolerance, branched-chain amino acids, β-hydroxybutyrate) that can also inform on overall cardiovascular health that is often linked with inflammatory processes.
Inflammation
kidney

Kidney

The kidneys are essential for the elimination of waste products, the regulation of osmolality and blood pressure, pH homeostasis, and the secretion of certain hormones. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often occurs because of other diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. The Targeted Assay team at Metabolon has developed multiple assays that can provide insights into the function of renal and urological tissue, such as the Creatinine Assay, Indoles/Uremic Toxicity Panel, and the Metal Cofactors and Toxic Metals Assay.

Big Insights with Metabolon

Cited in over 3,000 publications, we help scientists and manufacturers gain greater insight into their studies through metabolomics. See how our approach can become a successful part of your workflow.

GET STARTED

Talk with an expert

Request a quote, get detailed information on sample types, or learn how metabolomics can accelerate your research. Find our contact details are here.

Find us on:

Talk with a Metabolomics expert

References

1. Zgoda-Pols, J.R., et al., Metabolomics analysis reveals elevation of 3-indoxyl sulfate in plasma and brain during chemically-induced acute kidney injury in mice: investigation of nicotinic acid receptor agonists. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, 2011. 255(1): p. 48-56.

2. Bryant, J.A., et al., The impact of an oral purified microbiome therapeutic on the gastrointestinal microbiome. Nat Med, 2026. 32(1): p. 186-196

3. McGovern, B .H., et al., SER-109, an Investigational Microbiome Drugto Reduce Recurrence After Clostridioides difficile Infection: Lessons Learned From a Phase 2 Trial. Clin Infect Dis, 2021. 72(12): p. 2132-2140.

4. Feuerstadt, P., et al., SER-109, an Oral Microbiome Therapy for Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection. N Engl J Med, 2022. 386(3): p. 220-229.

5. Hu, Z., et al., Targeted metabolomics reveals novel diagnostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer. Mol Oncol, 2025. 19(6): p. 1737-1750.

6. Butler, F.M., et al., Vegetarian Dietary Patterns and Diet-Related Metabolites Are Associated With Kidney Function in the Adventist Health Study-2 Cohort. J Ren Nutr, 2025.

7. Stanford, J., et al., Metabolomic Profiling and Diet Quality Scoring in a Randomized Crossover Trial of Healthy and Typical Dietary Patterns. Mol Nutr Food Res, 2025 . 69(23): p. e70271.

8. O’Connor, L.E., et al., Metabolomic Profiling of an Ultraprocessed Dietary Pattern in a Domiciled Randomized Controlled Crossover Feeding Trial. J Nutr, 2023. 153(8): p. 2181-2192.

9. Fritsch, D.A., et al., Microbiome function underpins the efficacy of a fiber-supplemented dietary intervention in dogs with chronic large bowel diarrhea. BMC Vet Res, 2022. 18(1): p. 245.

10. Leal, L.N., et al., Preweaning nutrient supply improves lactation productivity and reduces the risk of culling in Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci, 2025. 108(6): p. 5875-5888.

11. Ahsin, M., et al., Soil and pasture health underlie improved beef nutrient density determined by untargeted metabolomics in Southern US grass finished beef systems. NPJ Sci Food, 2025. 9(1): p. 151.

12. Yin, W., et al., Plasma lipid profiling across species for the identification of optimal animal models of human dyslipidemia. J Lipid Res, 2012. 53(1): p. 51-65.

13. Porter, F .D., et al., Cholesterol oxidation products are sensitive and specific blood-based biomarkers for Niemann-Pick C1 disease. Sci Transl Med, 2010. 2(56): p. 56ra81.

14. Needham, B .D., et al., Plasma and Fecal Metabolite Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry, 2021. 89(5): p. 451-462

15. Li, C., et al., Estradiol and mTORC2 cooperate to enhance prostaglandin biosynthesis and tumorigenesis in TSC2-deficient LAM cells. J Exp Med, 2014. 211(1): p. 15-28.

16. Green, P.G., et al., Metabolic flexibility and reverse remodelling of the failing human heart. Eur Heart J, 2025. 46(25): p. 2422-2433.

17. Maekawa, H., et al., SGLT2 inhibition protects kidney function by SAM-dependent epigenetic repression of inflammatory genes under metabolic stress. J Clin Invest, 2025. 135(19).

18. Wu, D., et al., Integrated screens reveal that guanine nucleotide depletion, which is irreversible via targeting IMPDH2, inhibits pancreatic cancer and potentiates KRAS inhibition. Gut, 2026.

19. Schwerdtfeger, L.A., et al., Gut microbiota and metabolites are linked to disease progression in multiple sclerosis. Cell Rep Med, 2025. 6(4): p. 102055.

20. Wu, H., et al., Microbiome-metabolome dynamics associated with impaired glucose control and responses to lifestyle changes. Nat Med, 2025. 31(7): p. 2222-2231.

21. Jacobs, J.P., et al., Cognitive behavioral therapy for irritable bowel syndrome induces bidirectional alterations in the brain-gut-microbiome axis associated with gastrointestinal symptom improvement. Microbiome, 2021. 9(1): p. 236.

22. Pietzner, M., et al., Plasma metabolites to profile pathways in noncommunicable disease multimorbidity. Nat Med, 2021. 27(3): p. 471-479.

23. Faquih, T.O., et al., Robust Metabolomic Age Prediction Based on a Wide Selection of Metabolites. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2025. 80(3).

24. Scherer, N., et al., Coupling metabolomics and exome sequencing reveals graded effects of rare damaging heterozygous variants on gene function and human traits. Nat Genet, 2025. 57(1): p. 193-205.

25. Holmes, Z.C., et al., Untargeted metabolomic analysis of human milk from healthy mothers reveals drivers of metabolite variability. Sci Rep, 2024. 14(1): p. 20827.

26. Titz, B., et al., Implications of Ocular Confounding Factors for Aqueous Humor Proteomic and Metabolomic Analyses in Retinal Diseases. Transl Vis Sci Technol, 2024. 13(6): p. 17.

27. Bloom, S.M., et al., Cysteine dependence of Lactobacillus iners is a potential therapeutic target for vaginal microbiota modulation. Nat Microbiol, 2022. 7(3): p. 434-450.

28. Leimer, E.M., et al., Lipid profile of human synovial fluid following intra-articular ankle fracture. J Orthop Res, 2017. 35(3): p. 657-666.