We offer an array of sample preparation and instrumentation services, as well as method development and in-depth consultation to help researchers optimize their experimental design based on their experimental goals. Recognized as a Thermo Fisher Scientific Center of Excellence, our facility is equipped with seven state-of-the-art mass spectrometry systems: Thermo Orbitrap Astral, two Exploris 480s, Q Exactive HF, Fusion Lumos, Exploris 240, and Stellar. In addition to our mass spectrometers, we have a Thermo Ultimate 3000, three Thermo Easy-nLC 1200s, an Evosep One, two Vanquish Neo UHPLCs, three Vanquish Horizon UHPLCs, and two 908 Devices ZipChip capillary electrophoresis systems for upfront separation. An Agilent 1260 Infinity II HPLC is available for offline peptide fractionation. We are also equipped with a Thermo AccelerOme for automated, high-throughput sample preparation and a Seer Proteograph for enrichment of low-abundance proteins from plasma and other biofluids.
We offer a broad range of proteomics services, including large-scale proteomic profiling, plasma profiling with Seer enrichment, global phosphoproteomics, protein identification, protein characterization, post-translational modification (PTM) mapping, chemoproteomics, intact mass analysis, and affinity purification analyses. These services can be performed quantitatively using labeled approaches, including TMT 10-plex, 16-plex, and 18-plex, or label-free approaches using data-dependent acquisition (DDA) or data-independent acquisition (DIA). Comprehensive data analysis is provided using a variety of database search engines and software packages, including Proteome Discoverer, Spectronaut, FragPipe, and Skyline. We also provide bioinformatics and downstream data analysis using tools such as Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), Gene Ontology, Perseus, and R.
The MAP Core also offers a growing range of metabolomics services, including global metabolite profiling, targeted metabolomics, and custom metabolite panels. Our global metabolite profiling service uses hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry on a Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240 to profile polar and semi-polar metabolites in both positive and negative ionization modes. The resulting data include peak areas for known metabolites and unknown features, with compound annotation supported by spectral library matching. Our targeted metabolomics services include quantitative analysis of 18 glycolysis and TCA cycle metabolites using high-resolution LC-MS. We also offer custom targeted metabolomics panels designed around specific pathways, compound classes, or research questions, using both LC-MS and capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) platforms. Assay development and consultation are available to help tailor metabolomics workflows to individual research needs.
Research at the MAP Core is supported by funding from the UNC Nutrition and Obesity Research Center (NORC) and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC).
We host a monthly Mass Spectrometry Seminar Series to highlight exciting research at UNC and promote collaborative opportunities. MS Seminars and other events are posted on our Events page. If you’d like to receive updates and join our mailing list, please complete the short form linked below.
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All work provided by the MAP Core facility which is included in a publication should acknowledge the contribution of the core facility either in the acknowledgements section or as an author. Proper acknowledgment of the core facility enables us to obtain financial and other support so that we may continue to provide essential services in the best ways possible. Please follow ABRF guidelines.