Metabolomics Flashcards
Yang
Define metabolomics
Quantitative study of a whole set of small molecules (metabolome)
What is a primary metabolite?
Performs normal physiological functions such as cell growth
What is a intermediary metabolite?
Maintains homeostasis such as energy intermediates
What is the metabolome?
The complete set of small molecules, such as carbohydrates and
lipids, in a biological sample
The metabolome excludes: (3)
- Enzymes
- Genetic materials
- Structural molecules
The human metabolome is an analog of _____ ______
human genome
Metabolites are? (2)
- Final-result of cellular functions
- Quantifiable molecules with the closest link to phenotype
What are the techniques used in metabolomics? (4)
- LC-MS, especially HPLC-MS
- GC-MS
- NMR
- Capillary electrophoresis
- CD-MECC
What is liquid chromatography (LC)?
An analytical technique used to separate or purify molecules dissolved in a solvent (mobile phase = liquid)
What are the 4 types of LC used for separation or purification of small molecules?
- Partition chromatography: paper chromatography and thin-layer chromatography
- HPLC – High Performance Liquid Chromatography
- UPLC (UHPLC) – Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography
- HPLC and UPLC are commonly used in metabolomics
What is the equation for resolution? (Rs)
Rs = (V2-V1)/((W1+W2)/2)
The cutoff for Rs value so that the peaks are completely separate is?
Rs ≥ 1.5
What are the 3 major players of liquid chromatography?
- Resolution
- Column
- Flow rate
In the LC column, what are the effects of resin particle size? (2)
- Smaller particle size –> higher pressure (related to flow rate)
- Smaller particle size –> better resolution
Why is flowrate important in LC? (2)
- Loss of resolution and capacity at high flow rate
- Backpressure on column resin
How does HPLC work? (4)
- Separation of small molecule compounds dissolved in a solution
- Mixture of compounds is injected into the column
- Compounds are separated based on difference in partition
coefficients between the mobile phase and stationary phase
- Mobile phase: solvent
- Stationary phase: column - Mobile phase should be degassed to avoid air bubbles