Study Design Success Series
Before you embark on a metabolomics study, there are several important considerations you should make—especially if you are going to work with a vendor to complete your study. In this series, we walk you through everything you need to know to ensure the success of your metabolomics study, including what to expect when working with Metabolon, at every step of the way—from designing your study to interpreting your data.
Chapters Guide
Chapter 0 — Your Guide to a Successful Metabolomic Study
Your Guide to a Successful Metabolomic Study will equip researchers to leverage metabolomics in their labs and workflows for a variety of indications throughout the life sciences. In particular, we will cover how to select metabolites, targeted versus untargeted analysis, appropriate technology and instrumentation, study design, control versus variant analysis, sample types, sample preparation, and effective analysis of metabolomics results.
Chapter 1 — Top 8 Questions to Ask Your Metabolomics Provider
Before you embark on a metabolomics study, there are several important considerations you should make—especially if you are going to work with a vendor to complete your study. Here, we arm you with the most important questions you need to ask in order to find the right vendor and complete your metabolomics study with confidence.
Chapter 2 — Metabolomics Study Workflow
Now that we’ve reviewed some of the most important considerations to make when deciding who to work with for your metabolomics studies (if you will not perform your studies in-house), it’s time to dive deep into the metabolomics study workflow. In this chapter, we provide an overview of each step in the workflow, from study design to data analysis and interpretation, and how Metabolon can help you each step of the way.
Chapter 3 — Building Your Metabolomic Study
As we discussed in the previous chapter of this guide, conducting a successful metabolomics analysis and interpretation begins with a well-designed study. There are a number of factors to consider when designing your study to ensure your protocol delivers high-quality results for drawing actionable insights. In this chapter, we’ll go over each of these factors, breaking the process down into simple steps with clear, easy-to-follow advice.
Chapter 4 — Sample Types for Metabolomics
In this chapter, we will take a closer look at the most common types of samples used in metabolomic studies. Many of the samples we will cover are human or animal in origin but can also include environmental samples, such as soil and water.
Chapter 5 — Metabolomics Sample Preparation, Storage, and Transportation
Regardless of the sample type, robust sample collection and transportation procedures must be established to preserve sample integrity. Failing to do so raises the risk of data variability, instrument interferences, and metabolite degradation. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the common steps underlying sample preparation, storage, and transportation.
Chapter 6 — Metabolomics Study Analysis, Interpretation, and Insights
Next comes the exciting moment when your data is returned! As you dive into the numbers, Metabolon scientists will help you turn your results into a story. In this chapter, we will go over the deliverables of your study analysis, interpretation, and insights.
Chapter 7 — The End of This Guide, The Beginning of Your Own Metabolomics studies
You are now equipped to build a metabolomics experimental workflow; we encourage you to refer to the previous chapters of this guide at any time and contact us for further information. Here’s a quick review of the main points of discussion in each chapter that you can use to find what you need quickly.
See how Metabolon can advance your path to preclinical and clinical insights
Why Metabolon?
Once you see the full value of metabolomics, the only remaining question is who does it best? While many laboratories have metabolite profiling or analytical chemistry capabilities, comprehensive metabolomics technologies are extremely rare. Accurate, unbiased metabolite identification across the entire metabolome introduces signal-to-noise challenges that very few labs are equipped to handle. Also, translating massive quantities of data into actionable information is slow, if not impossible, for most because proper interpretation takes two things that are in short supply: experience and a comprehensive database.
Only Metabolon has all four core metabolomics capabilities
Coverage
Ability to interrogate thousands of metabolites across diverse biochemical space, revealing new insights and opportunities
Comparability
Ability to integrate the data from different studies into the same dataset, in different geographies, among different patients over time
Competency
Ability to inform on proper study design, generate high‐quality data, derive biological insights, and make actionable recommendations
Capacity
Ability to process hundreds of thousands of samples quickly and cost‐efficiently to service rapidly growing demand
Partner with Metabolon to access:
A library of 5,400+ known metabolites, 2,000 in human plasma, all referenced in the context of biochemical pathways
- That’s 5x the metabolites of the closest competitor
Unparalleled depth and breadth of experience analyzing and interpreting metabolomic data to find meaningful results
- 10,000+ projects with hundreds of clients
- 3,500+ publications covering 500 diseases, including numerous peer-reviewed journals such as Cell, Nature and Science
- Nearly 40 PhDs in data science, molecular biology, and biochemistry
Using our robust platform and visualization tools, our experts are uniquely able to tell you more about your molecule and develop assay panels to help you zero in on the results you need.
Related Metabolomics Resources
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Request a quote for our services, get more information on sample types and handling procedures, request a letter of support, or submit a question about how metabolomics can advance your research.
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