The Lipidomics and Metabolomics Shared Resource (LMSR) provides highly sensitive and specific analyses of lipids and small-metabolites for investigators at VCU and the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. The LMSR facilities enable the qualitative and quantitative investigation of the lipidome in both in vitro and in vivo studies involving cell lines, animal models, and/or human samples. This is accomplished using an advanced instrumentation suite that is nationally competitive amongst lipidomic facilities. Specifically, the LMSR maintains 4 advanced quadrupole linear ion trap (QTrap) mass spectrometers, each equipped with an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system. The core also utilizes a Thermoscientific Q Exactive HF OrbiTrap coupled to a UHPLC for untargeted lipidomics and metabolomics with 240,000 resolution. This equipment enables highly sensitive and specific identification and/or quantification of changes to both lipids and water-soluble metabolites in a high-throughput fashion and over a large dynamic range. Lipid classes analyzed include- but are not limited to- glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and sterols. Targeted analyses of water-soluble species include metabolites, grouped either by similar structure or metabolic pathway. The LMSR also provides custom analyses including isotopic labeling/metabolite tracing upon consultation. Untargeted analyses provide data from a database of over 8000 lipids and more than 20,000 water-soluble metabolites. The resource is directed by L. Ashley Cowart, PhD, who is supported by the operational director, Jeremy Allegood, PhD, the metabolomics specialist, Yang Yue, PhD, and the lab manager, Megan Scalzo. Drs. Allegood, Cowart, and Yue provide consultative services for experimental design and data interpretation and assist with novel method development. The LMSR is a jointly-managed (Massey and VCU) resource located in Sanger Hall and within close walking distance of Massey. Standard hours for the facility are 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The usage of services and equipment is tracked and charged back. The LMSR adds significant value to VCU and Massey research by providing services that otherwise would not be practically obtainable or would be cost-prohibitive through alternative vendors or even other non-profit institutions. Overall, the instrumentation and expertise available in the LMSR have facilitated the development of a growing user base of VCU faculty and Massey members, as well as investigators from other institutions whose research routinely garners peer-reviewed national funding and generates publications in high-impact scientific journals.
Major instrumentation in the core includes:
Sciex 5500 QTrap: Quadrupole Linear Ion Trap used for most of LMSR’s quantitative lipid methods. Allows for 100 fmol or lower LoQ for sphingolipids, eicosanoids, glycerophospholipids, steroids, and lysophospholipids. Allows analysis of samples that range from lipid bound to protein pulldowns to cells/tissues/fluids.
Sciex 6500 QTrap: Quadrupole Linear Ion Trap used for LMSR’s quantitative lipid methods that require more sensitivity in negative mode or of higher m/z values. Beneficial for cardiolipins, sulfatides, ganglioside species, and some glycerophospholipids.
Thermoscientific Q Exactive HF OrbiTrap: The OrbiTrap allows identification and relative quantitation of over 8000 lipid species and more than 20000 water-soluble metabolites. Utilizing the OrbiTrap’s 240,000 resolution allows significantly increased confidence in qualitative data.
