Metabolomics and Proteomics
Mass Spectrometry
Advanced Translational Pharmacology and Analytical Chemistry (ATPAC)
The Advanced Translational Pharmacology and Analytical Chemistry (ATPAC) core lab consists of the Analytical Chemistry and Pharmacology Core (ACPC) lab and the Translational Oncology and Nanoparticle Drug Development Initiative (TONDDI) lab
The ATPAC core lab uses analytical chemistry and pharmacologic infrastructure to support the translational development of drugs, anticancer agents, carrier-mediated agents and biologics. The lab provides expertise in translational drug development, analytical chemistry, pharmacology [pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD); efficacy and toxicity], and biomarker studies.
Research applications: Services include LC-MS assay development, validation and analysis of samples to quantify a wide variety of drugs, ranging from small molecule therapeutics to complex drugs such as monoclonal antibodies, drug conjugates and polymers. The lab supports formulation development and CMC studies, assistance in PK/PD study design, LC-MS/MS or ICP-MS assay development, quantification of drugs from biological samples, PK/PD analysis and report generation.
Instrumentation available: Thermo TSQ Quantum Ultra triple quadrupole mass spectrometers with Shimadzu LC-20AD series HPLC, Thermo LTQ Orbitrap Discovery mass spectrometer with Shimadzu LC-20AD series HPLC, Agilent 7700 inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), Shimadzu 20 series HPLC with fluorescence detection.
Resources: Full-service sample analysis and assay development. Consultation on PK/PD study design and execution. Data interpretation and preparation of manuscripts.
Eligible users: Researchers at UNC-CH, other academic institutions, industry/commercial clients.
Biomarker Mass Spectrometry (BMS)
The Biomarker Mass Spectrometry Facility is a shared mass spectrometry laboratory, we offer LC/MS/MS analyses with ion mobility separation capability, GCMS analysis and trace elemental analysis by ICP-MS, providing expertise for qualitative and quantitative analysis of small molecules and elemental analysis. Starting from biomarker analysis, the facility’s mission evolved over time into trace level analysis of a wide spectrum of complex mixtures from environmental and exposure science applications.
Research applications: Targeted and untargeted analysis of biomarkers of exposure and effect including DNA adducts, protein adducts, DNA-DNA and DNA-protein crosslinks, metabolites. Environmental chemical analysis constitutes an important area of focus for this facility, such as PFAS, secondar organic aerosol, multi-element analysis and arsenic speciation in water, food, and other matrix.
Instrumentation:
- Waters select series Cyclic ion mobility quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry and it is expected to be in service in 2025.
- Sciex 6500 triple quad mass spec coupled with Agilent 1290 UPLC and Eksigent nanoLC;
- Thermo TSQ Quantum Ultra triple quad mass spec with Waters NanoAcquity UPLC.
- Thermo TSQ Quantum Ultra triple quad mass spec with Waters Acquity UPLC.
- Agilent 6520 Accurate-Mass Quadrupole Time-of-Flight mass spec with Agilent 1200 HPLC.
- Agilent 8900 ICP-MS Inductively Coupled Plasma mass spec with Agilent 1260 Infinity Bioinert HPLC.
- Agilent 5977C coupled with Agilent 8860 GC-MS
- Agilent 1200 HPLC for offline purification and fraction collection.
Resources: Full-service sample analyses as well as training for independent operation; Consultation for proposal submission and/or project feasibility; Method development; Data interpretation and generation of experimental sections and figures for publications. Fees are based on hourly usage of instrumentation and staff time, so costs correlate with the degree of effort required and the duration of analyses.
Eligible users: UNC researchers as well as other academic investigators and commercial clients when feasible.
Department of Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory
The Department of Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory specializes in small molecule mass spectrometry analysis. Our Core aims to provide the highest quality mass spectrometric services possible to both campus and surrounding Research Triangle area members. We offer both independent operator and full-service mass spectrometry workflows. Our primary research focuses are organic and inorganic synthetic molecules, relative and absolute quantitation mass spectrometry, and trace metal analysis.
Research applications: quantitative mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography separations, structural elucidation, MS/MS & MSn fragmentation mass spectrometry, complex mixture analysis, molecular formula confirmation, high resolution and accurate mass analysis, & trace metal determination/quantitation.
Instrumentation available: ThermoFisher Exactive GC, ThermoFisher LTQ FT with a Waters Acquity H-Class UPLC system, PESciex 3000 with a Shimadzu LC and CTC autosampler, Agilent 1100 liquid chromatograph system, CEM Mars Microwave System
Resources: Individualized user training for undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral scholars of the Department of Chemistry and UNC Campus community. Walk-up access is available to all trained users. Full-service sample analysis. Consultation for project development. Method development and advising. Data interpretation. Grant application assistance. Metabolomics and Lipidomics.
Eligible users: All researchers at UNC-CH, affiliated universities, non-affiliated universities, private industry/commercial clients.
Proteomics
UNC Metabolomics and Proteomics (MAP) Core
UNC Metabolomics and Proteomics (MAP) Core provides researchers with state-of-the-art analysis of proteins and metabolites from tissues, cells and other biological samples. The Core is also a resource for training and education in metabolomics and proteomics techniques. The Core offers an array of sample preparation, instrumentation and data analysis services, as well as method development and in-depth consultation to help researchers optimize their experimental design.
Research applications: For proteomics: simple protein ID from SDS-PAGE gels; PTM analysis of a single protein; global quantitative proteomic profiling; global quantitative phosphoproteomics; protein-protein interaction analysis; kinome profiling; chemoproteomics; targeted proteomics to quantify specific peptides/proteins; and intact, high-resolution mass analysis of large biomolecules, such as antibodies.
For metabolomics, the UNC MAP Core offers sample preparation including metabolite and lipid extraction from biological samples and purification with solid phase extraction. Heavy labeled metabolites/lipids are used as internal standards for normalization and/or quantification. The UNC MAP Core offers both targeted and untargeted metabolomics services.
Instrumentation available: Seven LC-MS systems are available. For Proteomics: Thermo Vanquish Neo-Astral, Thermo Neo-Exploris480, Thermo Ultimate3000-Exploris 480, Thermo Easy nLC 1200-QExactive HF. For Metabolomics: Thermo Vanquish Horizon-Stellar targeted MS, Thermo Vanquish Horizon-Exploris240, Thermo Vanquish Horizon-Lumos with ETD.
In addition to the LC-MS systems, the MAP Core is equipped with 2 908Devices ZipChip capillary electrophoresis systems, an Evosep One liquid separations device, a Thermo AccelerOme proteomics sample preparation automation system and an Agilent HPLC for offline fractionation.
Resources: Full-service core providing sample preparation, mass spectrometry analysis and data analysis. Grant and manuscript support. Multi-omics data integration. Modular Course offered: PHCO750. In-depth method development and optimization.
Eligible users: Researchers at UNC and other academic institutions or industrial laboratories.
Lipidomics
Department of Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory
The Department of Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory specializes in small molecule mass spectrometry analysis. Our Core aims to provide the highest quality mass spectrometric services possible to both campus and surrounding Research Triangle area members. We offer both independent operator and full-service mass spectrometry workflows. Our primary research focuses are organic and inorganic synthetic molecules, relative and absolute quantitation mass spectrometry, and trace metal analysis.
Research applications: quantitative mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography separations, structural elucidation, MS/MS & MSn fragmentation mass spectrometry, complex mixture analysis, molecular formula confirmation, metabolomics and lipidomics, high resolution and accurate mass analysis, & trace metal determination/quantitation.
Instrumentation available: ThermoFisher Exactive GC, ThermoFisher LTQ FT with a Waters Acquity H-Class UPLC system, PESciex 3000 with a Shimadzu LC and CTC autosampler, Agilent 1100 liquid chromatograph system, CEM Mars Microwave System
Resources: Individualized user training for undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral scholars of the Department of Chemistry and UNC Campus community. Walk-up access is available to all trained users. Full-service sample analysis. Consultation for project development. Method development and advising. Data interpretation. Grant application assistance. Metabolomics and Lipidomics.
Eligible users: All researchers at UNC-CH, affiliated universities, non-affiliated universities, private industry/commercial clients.
Metabolomics
Department of Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory
The Department of Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory specializes in small molecule mass spectrometry analysis. Our Core aims to provide the highest quality mass spectrometric services possible to both campus and surrounding Research Triangle area members. We offer both independent operator and full-service mass spectrometry workflows. Our primary research focuses are organic and inorganic synthetic molecules, relative and absolute quantitation mass spectrometry, and trace metal analysis.
Research applications: quantitative mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography separations, structural elucidation, MS/MS & MSn fragmentation mass spectrometry, complex mixture analysis, molecular formula confirmation, metabolomics and lipidomics, high resolution and accurate mass analysis, & trace metal determination/quantitation.
Instrumentation available: ThermoFisher Exactive GC, ThermoFisher LTQ FT with a Waters Acquity H-Class UPLC system, PESciex 3000 with a Shimadzu LC and CTC autosampler, Agilent 1100 liquid chromatograph system, CEM Mars Microwave System
Resources: Individualized user training for undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral scholars of the Department of Chemistry and UNC Campus community. Walk-up access is available to all trained users. Full-service sample analysis. Consultation for project development. Method development and advising. Data interpretation. Grant application assistance. Metabolomics and Lipidomics.
Eligible users: All researchers at UNC-CH, affiliated universities, non-affiliated universities, private industry/commercial clients.
UNC Metabolomics and Proteomics (MAP) Core
UNC Metabolomics and Proteomics (MAP) Core provides researchers with state-of-the-art analysis of proteins and metabolites from tissues, cells and other biological samples. The Core is also a resource for training and education in metabolomics and proteomics techniques. The Core offers an array of sample preparation, instrumentation and data analysis services, as well as method development and in-depth consultation to help researchers optimize their experimental design.
Research applications: For proteomics: simple protein ID from SDS-PAGE gels; PTM analysis of a single protein; global quantitative proteomic profiling; global quantitative phosphoproteomics; protein-protein interaction analysis; kinome profiling; chemoproteomics; targeted proteomics to quantify specific peptides/proteins; and intact, high-resolution mass analysis of large biomolecules, such as antibodies.
For metabolomics, the UNC MAP Core offers sample preparation including metabolite and lipid extraction from biological samples and purification with solid phase extraction. Heavy labeled metabolites/lipids are used as internal standards for normalization and/or quantification. The UNC MAP Core offers both targeted and untargeted metabolomics services.
Instrumentation available: Seven LC-MS systems are available. For Proteomics: Thermo Vanquish Neo-Astral, Thermo Neo-Exploris480, Thermo Ultimate3000-Exploris 480, Thermo Easy nLC 1200-QExactive HF. For Metabolomics: Thermo Vanquish Horizon-Stellar targeted MS, Thermo Vanquish Horizon-Exploris240, Thermo Vanquish Horizon-Lumos with ETD.
In addition to the LC-MS systems, the MAP Core is equipped with 2 908Devices ZipChip capillary electrophoresis systems, an Evosep One liquid separations device, a Thermo AccelerOme proteomics sample preparation automation system and an Agilent HPLC for offline fractionation.
Resources: Full-service core providing sample preparation, mass spectrometry analysis and data analysis. Grant and manuscript support. Multi-omics data integration. Modular Course offered: PHCO750. In-depth method development and optimization.
Eligible users: Researchers at UNC and other academic institutions or industrial laboratories.
Metabolomics and Exposome Laboratory
Located in Kannapolis, NC, the Metabolomics and Exposome Core Laboratory encourages collaborations that promote the use of untargeted and broad-spectrum metabolomics in basic, clinical, and translational research focused on environmental health and precision nutrition. Specific services include consultation and proposal development, untargeted sample analysis using UPLC, Mass Spectrometry, and NMR, cytokine arrays, and targeted services for the Choline Metabolic pathway.