Neuroscience Research
At Human Metabolome Technologies (HMT), our metabolomics expertise offers a thorough analysis of small polar and lipid metabolites, which provides a detailed view of physiological states that change with the pathological condition of cells, tissues, organs, or entire organisms. This approach allows us to identify metabolic alterations, such as disruptions in central carbon metabolism and signaling pathways within the brain and in biofluids like cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. Such insights are crucial for understanding the mechanisms behind neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) and neuropsychiatric conditions (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression), potentially revealing diagnostic markers and biomarkers both before symptoms appear and during disease progression.
Understanding Neuroscience through Metabolomics
Metabolomics enhances our ability to observe an individual’s metabolic profile, offering a direct assessment of changes occurring in the brain and various biofluids.
HMT’s Metabolomics Capabilities
HMT employs advanced CE-MS and LC-MS technologies to analyze a wide range of metabolites. Our platforms are tailored to capture data on signaling molecules, polyamines, and energy metabolism from diverse sample types, including brain and nervous tissues, biofluids, retinal samples, and neuronal cells.
- Measurement: Accurately detect over 1000 metabolites per sample and quantify over 400 polar metabolites, many involved in neuronal signaling.
- Resolution and Specificity: Achieve high-resolution separation of structural isomers, such as isobaric fatty acids, cis/trans isomers and oxidative byproducts.
Sample and Data Analysis at HMT
- Biofluids (plasma, serum, CSF, etc.): Discover biomarkers and diagnostic markers related to brain diseases, track disease progression, and monitor drug responses.
- Neurons and Glial Cells: Investigate abnormal energy metabolism in diseased cells and conduct region-specific brain profiling, distinguishing between glycolytic astrocytes and oxidative neurons.
- Brain Tissue (from biopsies, post-mortem samples, animal models): Identify disease signatures in human brain tissue, assess neurochemical changes in genetically modified models, and analyze drug responses and treatment mechanisms.
Pathway Analysis
At HMT we are your collaborators. Pathway analysis can be a multi-analyte process involving not only metabolites but also transcription factors, RNA expression and phenotype. We create pathway maps to fit your goals, your data and your research that combine both client data and public domain knowledge to offer a concise and professional data analysis. Graphics displays can include any type that fits your needs (Volcano plots, ROC graphs, Hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis and more).