1. Resources

Metabolomics CoRE

The Metabolomics Core at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, located on the Mount Sinai West Campus, provides investigators with advanced mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics assays essential for cutting-edge metabolic research. Our mission is to empower ISMMS researchers by leveraging state-of-the-art metabolomics instrumentation to deliver robust analytical results, and provide expert guidance for investigating metabolic pathways and disease mechanisms.

Our facility is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, including the Agilent 8890/5977C GC-MS, Agilent 6495D LC-MS/MS (QqQ), and high-resolution Thermo Fisher Orbitrap IQ-X Tribrid LC-MS systems. These sophisticated platforms enable highly sensitive and precise metabolite detection across diverse biological samples. Additionally, our facility utilizes the Agilent Bravo automated sample preparation system, enhancing metabolite recovery, reproducibility, and workflow efficiency, particularly beneficial for large-scale studies.

 

We offer validated analytical assays spanning a wide range of biological matrices such as body fluids (plasma, serum, saliva, urine, etc.), cultured cells, and tissue samples from human subjects and research animal models. Furthermore, the Metabolomics CoRE specializes in stable isotope tracing studies utilizing 13C-, 15N-, and 2H-labeled substrates, supporting in-depth functional metabolomics research.

The CoRE provides comprehensive support for both hypothesis-generating untargeted metabolomics and hypothesis-driven targeted metabolomics studies. Our team delivers expert assistance at every step, from experimental design and data acquisition to advanced data analysis and interpretation.

Acknowledgement of CoRE in Publications, Grants, and Awards

Acknowledging the Metabolomics CoRE in your publications, grants, and awards is essential for sustaining and expanding our facility. Recognition of our services helps demonstrate our impact, supports funding proposals, and meets institutional reporting requirements.

Please acknowledge any data produced by the Metabolomics CoRE in publications with the following text:

"Metabolomics CoRE, Shared Research Resources, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai"

Additionally, when CoRE staff contribute significantly to experimental design, data interpretation, or intellectual content—as determined by the principal investigator—it is expected that these individuals be recognized as co-authors on publications.

We recommend users adhere to the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) guidelines regarding authorship and acknowledgments.

Meet Our Team

Daniel Puleston, PhD
Daniel Puleston, PhD
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Immunology & Immunotherapy
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR | Oncological Sciences
MIRELA BERISA
MIRELA BERISA
CORE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | Shared Research Facilities
WILLIAM ERICK CZESLAW HELMECZI
WILLIAM ERICK CZESLAW HELMECZI
CORE SCIENTIST - MSH | Shared Research Facilities

Explore Our Analytical Services

This panel enables the relative quantification of 20 amino acids and 8 key metabolites involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Metabolite identification is performed by spectral matching to the NIST library and comparison of retention times with previously analyzed authentic chemical standards via GC-MS (Agilent 8890/5977C). Please note that detection is sample-dependent—not every metabolite is necessarily detected in each sample. Results are expressed in units of mass spectrometry (MS) intensity, which are arbitrary and intended for relative comparisons.

This analysis involves stable isotope tracing of carbon-13 (13C) incorporation into 8 metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Metabolite identification is conducted via spectral matching against the NIST library and comparison of retention times with previously analyzed authentic chemical standards using GC-MS (Agilent 8890/5977C). Please note that metabolite detection is sample-dependent, meaning not all metabolites may be detected in every sample. Results are reported as relative exchange rates of 13C incorporation and mass spectrometry (MS) intensity values (arbitrary units) for relative quantification.

This targeted panel utilizes enables the relative quantification of approximately 200 verified metabolites. Metabolite identification is based on fragmentation patterns and retention times compared with previously analyzed authentic chemical standards using LC-MS/MS (Agilent 6495D QqQ). Detection of metabolites is sample-dependent, meaning not all metabolites may be detected in every sample. Quantitative results are expressed as mass spectrometry (MS) intensity in arbitrary units. The list covers members of central carbon metabolism e.g. amino acid metabolism, glycolysis, TCA cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, as well as nucleotides and monophosphates, along with many other metabolites of interest.

This panel enables the relative quantification of approximately 400 verified metabolites. Metabolite identity is determined by fragmentation and retention time of previously analyzed authentic chemical standards using LC-MS/MS (Thermo Fisher Scientific Orbitrap IQ-X Tribrid Mass Spectrometer). Detection of these metabolites is sample-dependent (not every metabolite will be detected in every sample) and metabolite levels are reported in units of MS intensity (arbitrary). The list covers members of central carbon metabolism e.g. amino acid metabolism, glycolysis, TCA cycle, pentose phoshpate pathway, as well as nucleotides and monophosphates along with many other metabolites of interest. 

This service provides comprehensive metabolite identification and relative quantification, enabling comparisons across different sample groups. A typical global metabolomics experiment detects over 5,000 reproducible metabolite peak features, facilitating high coverage for discovering potential biomarkers and identifying differentially regulated metabolites or metabolic pathways. Structural identification of detected metabolite features is assigned tentatively using MS/MS fragmentation patterns and accurate mass measurements from high-resolution mass spectrometry (Thermo Fisher Scientific Orbitrap IQ-X Tribrid Mass Spectrometer), analyzed via Compound Discoverer software. Given the complexity and depth of these analyses, global metabolomics projects typically involve collaborative efforts, incorporating detailed bioinformatic interpretation and scientific insights. Beyond analytical costs, approximately 1 hour of bioinformatic analysis per sample is required to interpret data effectively and generate publication-ready figures.

Stable isotope tracing of 13C, 15N or 2H into metabolites commonly detected by targeted metabolomics profiling exploratory panel using a full scan mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific Orbitrap IQ-X Tribrid Mass Spectrometer). Detection of these metabolites is sample-dependent (not every metabolite will be detected in every sample) and metabolite levels are reported in units of MS intensity (arbitrary).