What Are the Key Steps in Serum Metabolomics Analysis?
Serum metabolomics analysis is a powerful approach for profiling metabolites in serum samples, widely applied in biomarker discovery, disease diagnosis, and biomedical research. The workflow generally consists of the following steps:
1. Sample Collection and Preparation
Blood samples are collected from individuals and processed by centrifugation to isolate the serum. To preserve metabolite stability, the serum samples must be stored under controlled conditions, such as low temperatures or in the presence of stabilizing agents.
2. Sample Pretreatment
The serum samples undergo preparatory steps, including protein precipitation, metabolite extraction, and filtration, to enrich small-molecule metabolites while eliminating macromolecular interferences.
3. Metabolite Profiling
High-throughput analytical techniques, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, are employed to identify and quantify serum metabolites. These techniques provide complementary information on metabolite composition, structure, and abundance.
4. Data Processing and Statistical Analysis
The acquired raw spectral data are processed using specialized computational tools for peak alignment, normalization, and statistical analysis. Multivariate statistical approaches, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), are commonly applied to distinguish metabolic patterns and detect significant metabolites.
5. Bioinformatics and Metabolic Pathway Analysis
Identified metabolites are annotated and interpreted by referencing bioinformatics databases such as KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) and HMDB (Human Metabolome Database). Further pathway analysis is conducted to uncover potential metabolic alterations associated with biological conditions or diseases.
This structured workflow ensures the accuracy and reliability of serum metabolomics analysis, facilitating a deeper understanding of metabolic processes in health and disease.
MtoZ Biolabs, an integrated chromatography and mass spectrometry (MS) services provider.
Related Services
How to order?
