Metabolomics FAQ Summary
DART mass spectrometry (Direct Analysis in Real Time) can indeed be used for lipid analysis, but it does not involve traditional sample preprocessing.
If a sample was mistakenly centrifuged at 7000g for 3 minutes during cellular metabolomics processing, it may lead to cell rupture, metabolite release, or sample contamination, thus affecting the analysis results. The specific impact depends on the extent of cell rupture and the level of sample contamination. If the cells are not completely ruptured and there is no significant contamination in the supernatant, metabolomics analysis may still proceed; otherwise, the sample may need to be processed again. It is recommended to check the sample quality or consider repeating the experiment to ensure data accuracy.
• How to determine which plant hormones are active?
Determining whether plant hormones are active is typically done through various experimental methods. This article introduces some common methods, including: physiological response tests (observing changes in plant growth), gene expression analysis (detecting hormone-responsive genes), hormone-receptor binding experiments (validating the binding of hormones to receptors), molecular biology experiments (detecting signal transduction activity), chromatography analysis (measuring hormone concentration), and transgenic plant models (observing changes in gene function). These methods help confirm the biological activity and mechanisms of action of hormones.
Escherichia coli samples that have been quickly frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C for two weeks are generally suitable for transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. It is important to note: 1) sample integrity, ensuring they have not thawed; 2) checking RNA quality (e.g., RIN value); 3) paying attention to the stability of metabolites. It is recommended to consult technical support before analysis to ensure optimal processing conditions.
In untargeted metabolomics analysis, you typically obtain a large amount of substance (metabolite) data. Even without a control group, untargeted metabolomics analysis can still provide detailed information about the composition of substances within the samples. Here are some analysis steps to help you extract useful information from the data:
• What is the normal analysis sequence for metabolomics?
Metabolomics is the scientific study of all metabolites or small molecules in biological systems. It is an important branch of systems biology and has significant applications in disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and understanding biological processes. The normal workflow for metabolomics analysis generally includes multiple steps from sample collection to data analysis and result interpretation. This article introduces a common metabolomics analysis process.
• How do fatty acids dissolve, do we need to use corn oil to dissolve them?
The solubility of fatty acids mainly depends on their structure and polarity. Generally, short-chain fatty acids (such as acetic acid and propionic acid) have higher solubility in water, while long-chain fatty acids (such as stearic acid and oleic acid) tend to dissolve better in non-polar solvents, such as corn oil or other vegetable oils. The fatty acids in corn oil have high lipophilicity, making them suitable for dissolving unsaturated fatty acids.
In non-targeted metabolomics, the differential metabolites identified can be further investigated through validation, enrichment analysis, tracing back key enzymes and genes, and multi-omics integration. After metabolic pathway enrichment, bioinformatics tools can be used to trace back related key enzymes, and combined with transcriptomic and proteomic data to further confirm the roles of candidate genes and enzymes; ultimately, functional experiments can validate the specific roles of these genes or enzymes in metabolic regulation.
• Can liquid chromatography be used to determine the metabolism of peptides in serum?
Liquid chromatography can be used to separate peptides, but using liquid chromatography alone typically cannot effectively determine the metabolism of peptides in serum. This is because the peptide content in serum is usually quite low, and its metabolites are mixed with other complex biomolecules (such as proteins, lipids, etc.), making the detection sensitivity of liquid chromatography insufficient to effectively distinguish these molecules. To achieve more accurate measurements, liquid chromatography generally needs to be coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), which leverages the high sensitivity and selectivity of mass spectrometry to detect the molecular weight and metabolites of peptides. The signal detection of mass spectrometry can complement the separation function of liquid chromatography, ensuring precise quantification and identification of peptides.
Rhizosphere microorganisms, root exudates, and rhizosphere non-targeted metabolites can appear in the same article, as all three play important roles in plant ecosystems. Their order can be determined based on the theme and purpose of the article, but generally, it may start with a discussion of the macro rhizosphere microorganisms, followed by root exudates, and finally rhizosphere non-targeted metabolites.
How to order?
