Course Identification

Low molecular weight biological molecules or so called ‘metabolites’ are vital for viability and fitness of all living creatures. 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 complex extracts. Course attendees will get acquainted with chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry technologies, with main focus on using Liquid Chromatography –MS (LC-MS) for targeted and non-targeted (i.e. un-biased) analytical approaches. The practical part will be carried out in small groups and include hands-on activity covering sample preparation, analytical runs on LC-MS instruments as well as raw data analysis and downstream data processing. A complementary course entitled ‘Analysis of Small molecules: Metabolic Profiling and Mass Spectrometry Imaging’ will be given in the following semester

Theoretical part

3 November 24, 11:15-13:00

Introduction to the course – 1 h – Asaph Aharoni

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

4 November 24, 9:15-11:00

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

5 November 24, 9:15-11:00

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

6 November 24, 9:15-11:00

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

7 November 24, 9:15-11:00

Non-targeted LC-MS analysis – 2 h – Ilana Rogachev

10 November 24, 9:15-11:00

Targeted LC-MS analysis – 2 h – Alexander Brandis

Practical (hands-on) part

11 – 14 November 24 (4 days), 11:15-16:15 (5 hours each day) (Ilana Rogachev and Alex Brandis): Each person will participate in 2 practical days out of 4 (one day non-targeted analysis and one day targeted analysis).

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 liquid chromatography.
2. Understand the basics of mass spectrometry.
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.