Fractionation

Although pretreated body fluid samples or concentrated extracts might be directly analysed by advanced mass spectrometry methods (or NMR methods), a further reduction of the sample complexity by the means of liquid chromatography (LC) or gas chromatography (GC) is highly recommended.
GC, and usually LC also, is directly coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS) so that mass spectrometry of the eluting fractions (ideally isolated metabolites) is performed on line. On line LC-MS measurements are time saving and an appropriate choice for most metabolomics projects.
LC systems can be used also off line to fractionate complex metabolite mixtures and to collect selected fractions on well plates or other devices, whereby volumes as small as 2ul can be seperated. The collected fractions may then be analysed on different mass spectrometers or other analytical platforms (e.g. NMR). Off line fractionation is time consuming, but enables highest analytical power.
As an advanced option, on line and off line fractionation might be combined by splitting the LC effluent.

At the FGCZ currently the following options are available:

On line capillary LC-MS -> see Metabolite Analysis for more information

Off line capillary LC to spot fractions on MALDI plates (MALDI spotting)

Off line capillary LC to collect fractions on well plates

Support Mode

Projects are supported in User lab mode.

Contacts

Endre Laczko
Peter Gehrig
Bernd Roschitzki