Metabolomics Research Group 2011 Study.

The ABRF Metabolomics Research Group (MRG) was formed in 2009 and aims to educate research scientists and resource facilities in the analytical approaches and management of data resulting from comprehensive metabolite studies and to promote the science and standardization of metabolomic analyses for a variety of applications. Last year the MRG conducted a ‘Survey Study’ on the current use of metabolomics technologies and procedures in core facilities. This year the MRG is organizing a ‘Research Study’ involving a spiked plasma sample. The study sample consists of a human biofluid as the matrix, replicating a typical small scale metabolomics pilot experiment that either a core or research laboratory would perform. The sample consists of two groups of normal human plasma (NIST plasma ‘Standard Reference Material’) with spiked in compounds. There are three biological replicates in each group (n = 3 design) with different levels of spiked compounds differentiating the two groups. Participants are asked to determine statistical significance, fold change, and identify compounds that differ significantly between groups A and B. The design reflects issues encountered in an actual metabolomics experiment conducted with human or animal specimens. The study is compatible with many methodological approaches in metabolomics, including, but not limited to LC/MS, GC/MS, NMR, as well as other methods. As with any metabolomics profiling experiment, the best results would be expected using a combination of approaches. The study is the first of its kind in the field of metabolomics and is expected to produce important information on the strengths and limitations of the various platforms and technologies that are commonly used for comprehensive metabolite analyses.