Course Identification

Low molecular weight biological molecules or so called ‘metabolites’ are vital for viability and fitness of all living creatures. Separation, detection, identification and quantification of hundreds of thousands of metabolites possessing endless structures is a great challenge, requiring ample expertise in analytical chemistry. Yet, proficiency in such methodologies is critically needed in many labs, both biology and chemistry oriented ones. This course will offer a unique opportunity to gain fundamental knowledge in using analytical chemistry for the interrogation of metabolites in any given organism.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a core technology providing the capacity to detect, quantify and identify metabolites. The course will provide both theoretical background as well as practical, hands-on experience with respect to analyzing small molecules in biological tissues. Course attendees will get acquainted with chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and mass spectral imaging, where the main focus will be done on Gas Chromatography-MS (GC-MS) and Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) technologies. The practical part will be carried out in small groups and will include hands-on activity that will cover sample preparation, analytical runs on GC-MS and MSI systems as well as raw data analysis and downstream data processing. The course is complementary to the first semester practical course entitled “Analysis of Small Molecules: Targeted and Non-Targeted Assays” that is largely focused on LC-MS analysis.

Theoretical part

23 March 25, 11:15-13:00

Introduction to the course – 1 h – Asaph Aharoni

Introduction to metabolite separation methods (1st part) – 1 h – Sergey Malitsky

24 March 25, 9:15-11:00

Introduction to metabolite separation methods (2nd part) – 2 h – Sergey Malitsky

25 March 25, 9:15-11:00

Introduction to mass spectrometry (1st part) – 2 h – Ilana Rogachev

26 March 25, 9:15-11:00

Introduction to mass spectrometry (2nd part) – 2 h – Ilana Rogachev

27 March 25, 9:15-11:00

Mass Spectrometry Imaging – 2 h – Uwe Heinig

30 March 25, 9:15-11:00

GC-MS analysis – 2 h – Sergey Malitsky

Practical (hands-on) part

22, 23, 24 and 27 April 25 (4 days), 11:15-16:15 (5 hours each day) (Uwe Heinig and Sergey Malitsky)

Location of practical part will be announced later by FGS

Student’s presentations:

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. Understand the basics of mass spectrometry.
2. Understand the basics of GC-MS and MSI technologies.
3. Prepare samples for the different methods of analysis, appreciate data collection and analysis.
4. Discuss the various applications, limitations and restrictions of the various methods