Harnessing the Power of Isotopically Labelled Biomass for Accurate Quantitative Analysis

Gunda Köllensperger from the University of Vienna has presented an approach to metabolomics using U13C-isotopically labelled biomass extracts as part of her keynote lecture at HPLC 2023 (1). She showcased the potential of these extracts as standardization tools, enabling the creation of a quantitative compound library on demand. By integrating the well-characterized isotopically enriched biomass, the analytical throughput was significantly increased, reducing the need for calibration measurements and enabling retrospective quantitative evaluation.

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The team have conducted multiple independent yeast fermentations over the years, collecting extensive data on yeast extracts using various mass spectrometry (MS) platforms. The biomass extracts were meticulously characterized in terms of molecular composition and concentration. By utilizing U13C-isotopically labelled biomass, the team created a standardized and reliable reference for quantitative metabolomics.

The integration of isotopically labelled biomass extracts has revolutionized clinical metabolomics, allowing for highly customized MS workflows with improved analytical figures of merit, which Koellensperger showcased in her lecture.

Köllensperger concluded by stating this is a new era of population health research and molecular epidemiology enabled by MS-based omics. These findings pave the way for more accurate, efficient, and standardized quantitative analysis, with far-reaching implications for fields such as personalized medicine and metabolic research.

Reference

(1) Köllensperger, G. Quantitative Metabolomics – The Power of Isotopically Labelled Biomass. Presented at: HPLC 2023. June 18–22, 2023. Duesseldorf, Germany. KN21.