This training will provide an overview of the analytical techniques and data analysis tools that are applied to study the metabolome and will provide insights on how to interpret metabolomics data.

The first day of lectures (Monday 11 March 2019, Leuven) will cover recent developments and breakthroughs in the application of metabolomics. We will start the day with an overview of sampling preparation requirements for metabolomics and data analysis pipelines available at VIB. Next session will focus on central metabolomics – including interpretation of labeling data, labeling data mapping and thermodynamics. Second session will be dedicated to lipidomics of membrane lipids and fatty acids. Next, secondary metabolomics approaches to identify and quantify secondary metabolites in both discovery and targeted mode will be discussed. We will end the day with a keynote talk on metabolic fluxes.

There will also be two hands-on sessions for which you need to register seperately:

Hands-on session with focus on secondary metabolism: Monday 1 April 2019, iGent - Ghent

This hands-on session will focus on the processing of raw data obtained via either Gas Chromatography- (GC) or Liquid Chromatography- (LC) mass spectrometry (MS). In addition, based on the comparative analysis between two sample sets (e.g. control vs treatment), the subsequent identification of differential metabolites will be introduced. Afterwards, the trainee should be able to perform independently a comparative analysis of raw metabolome data and to pinpoint the well-known metabolites in the chromatogram. This training is intended for people who have a basic knowledge of R. Participants who have never worked with R should first follow the course Basic statistics in R. We can provide a laptop for you, or you may bring your own laptop.

Trainer: Kris Morreel, VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology​ ​

Hands-on session with focus on primary metabolism: Friday 5 April 2019, Park Inn Leuven

 During this session we will perform the data-processing of GC-MS and LC-MS spectra obtained from mammalian derived samples in a tracer-(13C)-metabolomics setup using a software tool (EMFASYS) developed at the Metabolomics Expertise Center Leuven. As such the focus will be on (1) the correct and consequent integration of isotopologue profiles and (2) the identification of central carbon metabolites. Different identification strategies will be demonstrated, such as retention time – m/z and MS/MS based strategies. We will also take a first step towards the biochemical interpretation of some metabolite 13C- labeling patterns. Having some experience with command line interfaces is recommended but not mandatory.

Trainer: Dries Verdergem, VIB Metabolomics Core Leuven​