What Are the Key Metabolomics Techniques and Their Distinctive Features?
Metabolomics is the study of the comprehensive profile of metabolites in biological systems and their dynamic variations. Various analytical techniques are employed to detect and quantify metabolites in biological samples. Below are the major metabolomics techniques and their unique characteristics:
Characteristics of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
1. Non-destructive method, suitable for analyzing live cells and tissues without compromising sample integrity.
2. Highly effective for structural elucidation of compounds.
3. Provides simple and accurate quantification.
4. Requires relatively straightforward sample preparation.
5. Limited metabolite coverage with relatively low sensitivity.
Characteristics of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
1. High sensitivity, enabling the detection of low-abundance metabolites.
2. Suitable for analyzing complex biological samples with diverse metabolites.
3. Integration with various chromatographic methods, including reverse-phase, normal-phase, and ion-exchange chromatography, enhances metabolite coverage.
4. Requires intricate sample preparation procedures.
Characteristics of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
1. Well-suited for analyzing volatile and semi-volatile metabolites.
2. Offers high-resolution separation.
3. Requires derivatization of samples to improve volatility and detectability.
4. Provides strong structural identification capabilities.
Characteristics of Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (QTOF) Mass Spectrometry
1. High mass resolution and exceptional mass accuracy.
2. Particularly useful for identifying and characterizing unknown metabolites.
3. Supports high-throughput analysis.
Characteristics of Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)
1. Separates metabolites based on molecular size and shape, providing an additional dimension of analysis.
2. When coupled with LC-MS or GC-MS, it enhances metabolite characterization by offering complementary structural information.
Characteristics of Nano Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (NanoLC-MS)
1. Optimized for the analysis of minute sample volumes.
2. Exceptionally high sensitivity, facilitating the detection of trace metabolites.
3. Particularly advantageous for low-abundance metabolites or compounds that are difficult to extract.
MtoZ Biolabs, an integrated chromatography and mass spectrometry (MS) services provider.
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