Metabolomics FAQ

• • How to Analyze and Present Non-Targeted Metabolomics Data Without a Control Group?

  If a study aims to investigate the composition of non-targeted metabolites without including a control group, the following analytical steps can be used to process and interpret the data:   Data Analysis Workflow 1. Data Preprocessing (1) Peak Detection and Integration: Utilize specialized software tools to detect and integrate peaks in mass spectrometry data, ensuring accurate metabolite signal extraction. (2) Signal Correction: Apply baseline correction, noise filtering, and normalization techniques......

• • What Are the Key Metabolomics Techniques and Their Distinctive Features?

  Metabolomics is the study of the comprehensive profile of metabolites in biological systems and their dynamic variations. Various analytical techniques are employed to detect and quantify metabolites in biological samples. Below are the major metabolomics techniques and their unique characteristics:   Characteristics of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy 1. Non-destructive method, suitable for analyzing live cells and tissues without compromising sample integrity. 2. Highly effective for st......

• • Is PLS-DA or OPLS-DA Generally Used to Evaluate Model Predictive Performance?

  When choosing between PLS-DA (Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis) and OPLS-DA (Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis) for evaluating a model’s predictive performance, one must consider the data characteristics and the specific research objectives. Both methods are employed for multivariate statistical analysis and are widely used in metabolomics and chemometrics; however, they exhibit key differences:   PLS-DA PLS-DA is a supervised learning method designed to build models th......

• • How Are Allosteric and Chemical Modification Regulations Demonstrated in Carbohydrate Metabolism?

  Allosteric regulation and chemical modification are two fundamental mechanisms governing enzyme activity in carbohydrate metabolism. These regulatory processes are essential for maintaining carbohydrate homeostasis in living organisms.   Allosteric regulation involves enzyme modulation at a site distinct from the active site. In this process, a regulatory molecule binds to an allosteric site, inducing conformational changes that alter enzyme activity. In glycolysis, phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) serve......

• • What Are the Key Steps in DEAE Column Chromatography and Polysaccharide Purification?

  Key Steps in DEAE Column Chromatography 1. Column Preparation (1) Pack the DEAE resin into the chromatography column and equilibrate it using an appropriate buffer to establish a stable ionic environment. (2) Prepare the sample by dissolving or suspending it in a compatible buffer to maintain stability during separation.   2. Sample Application Carefully load the prepared sample onto the equilibrated DEAE column, allowing ionic interactions between the target molecules and the resin.   3. Removal of N......

• • How to Analyze Non-Targeted Metabolomics Results?

  Analyzing non-targeted metabolomics results is a complex process that involves a series of bioinformatics steps:   Data Preprocessing 1. Data Cleaning Remove noise and irrelevant information.   2. Peak Detection and Alignment Detect metabolite peaks and align them across samples.   3. Normalization and Standardization Eliminate variability caused by experimental conditions or instrument differences.   Feature Selection and Dimensionality Reduction: 1. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Reduce data dim......

• • What Are the Key Steps in Serum Metabolomics Analysis?

  Serum metabolomics analysis is a powerful approach for profiling metabolites in serum samples, widely applied in biomarker discovery, disease diagnosis, and biomedical research. The workflow generally consists of the following steps:   1. Sample Collection and Preparation Blood samples are collected from individuals and processed by centrifugation to isolate the serum. To preserve metabolite stability, the serum samples must be stored under controlled conditions, such as low temperatures or in the pre......

• • What Are the Methods for Extracting Bacterial Cell Membrane Lipids?

  The extraction of bacterial cell membrane lipids involves a series of critical steps, including cell disruption, lipid extraction, and purification. The detailed methodology is outlined below.   1. Cell Collection and Preprocessing (1) Bacterial Cultivation: Grow bacterial cultures until they reach the desired growth phase. (2) Cell Harvesting: Collect bacterial cells via centrifugation or filtration. (3) Cell Washing: Wash the collected cells with an appropriate buffer, such as phosphate-buffered sal......

• • What Are the Three Structural Forms of Flavonoids?

  Flavonoids, a diverse class of polyphenolic compounds, primarily occur in three structural forms:   Flavonols Flavonols represent a subclass of flavonoids distinguished by a hydroxyl (-OH) group at the C-4 position. These compounds are abundant in nature and play significant roles in plant defense and human health. Common flavonols include quercetin, rutin, and quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, which are predominantly found in vegetables, fruits, and tea.   Flavonoid Glycosides Flavonoid glycosides are flavo......

• • How to Establish a Polysaccharide Standard Curve via the Phenol-Sulfuric Acid Method? Why No Color or Stable UV Absorbance?

  The phenol-sulfuric acid method is a widely used technique for quantifying polysaccharides by measuring the absorbance of chromogenic products formed through the reaction between polysaccharides and phenol under acidic conditions. A critical aspect of this method is the establishment of a standard curve for accurate quantification. The detailed procedure is outlined below:   1. Selection of Standard Substance A purified monosaccharide or polysaccharide, such as glucose or glycoprotein, is typically us......