- Course overview
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- What is metabolomics?
- The metabolome and metabolic reactions
- The importance of metabolomics
- Metabolomics resources at EMBL-EBI
- Summary
- Metabolomics quiz
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- References
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Sample preparation
Sample preparation usually involves the following steps, also depicted in Figure below:
- collection
- storage
- extraction
- preparation
- custom preparation for individual measurement systems, e.g. derivatisation for gas chromatography
Extraction techniques
Solid-phase extraction (SPE)
SPE is a process whereby compounds which are dissolved or suspended in a liquid mixture are separated from other compounds according to their chemical and physical properties. SPE is often used in metabolomics laboratories to concentrate and purify a sample.
Chromatography
Chromatography is an important step in metabolomics experiments to separate individual metabolites from a mixture. The most common technologies used in mass spectrometry are gas and liquid chromatography. Through interactions of analytes with a mobile and stationary phase, compounds are separated and elute off the chromatographic column at different time points, based on their physio-chemical properties.