Metabolomics Courses

Title

Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics – from theory to practice

Course length

4 mandatory days

Why attend this course?

Metabolomics is an emerging field of the Life Sciences arena and has widespread applications across the medical, clinical and biological sciences, both in academic and industrial settings. Metabolomics aims to measure the complement of metabolites (the intermediates and final products of metabolism) in living organisms. The total set of metabolites in a biological system is known as the metabolome and represents the downstream effect of an organism’s genome and its interaction with the environment.

In this course, we will provide an introduction to metabolomics, explain why we want to study the metabolome and describe the current challenges in analyzing metabolites in a biological system. We will describe the multidisciplinary approach adopted in metabolomics workflows and demonstrate how the combined effort of scientists from different disciplines (analytics, biochemistry and bioinformatics) is advancing this exciting field. The course is designed to bring theory and practice together, enabling the participants to apply metabolomics in a research-based context.

By the end of the course, participants will understand how metabolomics can enrich our knowledge of metabolism. Moreover, they will be able to perform mass spectrometry-based metabolomics experiment in the laboratory and will have an overview on the use of specific software platforms for metabolomics data mining.

Didactic approach

The course is conceived to be highly interactive. Thus, the didactic approach will be a mixture of:

• Theoretical inputs (lectures)

• Interactive discussions on case studies (group and pair discussions)

• Pair or group work in the laboratory

• Instrument handling for the practical part

• Hands-on activities for data analysis (computer sessions)

• Q&A sessions, feedback and discussions with other participants and instructors

• Flash presentations by means of posters, whiteboards, flipcharts or slides

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of metabolism;

2. Assess the challenges involved in investigating the metabolome;

3. Develop an awareness of the analytical techniques and data analysis tools that are used to study the metabolome;

4. Perform metabolite sample preparation procedures in the laboratory;

5. Analyze biological samples using untargeted and targeted mass spectrometric approaches, including quality control samples and references compounds;

6. Perform basic data analysis on both untargeted and targeted datasets (including qualitative and quantitative analysis, relative and absolute quantification, identification, pathway reconstruction);

7. Apply metabolomics into a research-based context by:

a. formulating a meaningful metabolomics research question

b. designing an experimental setup (based on the analytical techniques learned during the course) to address this specific question on metabolism

c. presenting their strategy to the class

Short course program

Lectures:

  1. Overview on metabolomics from a biological perspective
  2. Insights into relevant metabolic pathways
  3. Technological considerations on metabolomics:
  • Importance of experimental design and sample preparation
  • Introduction to the LC-MS world
  • Analytical strategies (targeted and untargeted metabolomics)
  • The importance of quality controls 

 4. Data analysis and interpretation

Practice:

  1. Metabolite extraction
  2. Analysis of quality control samples
  3. Polar metabolite and lipid profiling
  4. Data processing
  5. Targeted analysis and absolute quantifications

Important facts and how to apply

Language

The course will be taught entirely in English

Participants

The course is limited to 8 participants only (and minimum 4)

Target audience and prerequisites

The course is aimed at:

• MSc, PhD students and young research scientists who are interested in learning about the application of metabolomics in a research-based setting.

It is not essential to have any previous knowledge of the subject area, but a reasonable knowledge and understanding of analytical chemistry would be beneficial.

Cost

The course tuition fees for PhD students of the University of Zürich and ETHZ is CHF 500.00 (Swiss francs) per person. The price for postgraduate members of the University of Zürich or ETHZ is CHF 800.00. Please note, that these prices will only apply if the tuition fee is paid through an internal, i.e. University of Zürich or ETHZ, account.

For external academics (non-UZH and non-ETHZ) the cost is CHF 1500.00 per person. For industrial delegates the cost is CHF 2000.00 per person. An invoice will be issued upon registration. This invoice will be sent out by email as well as a hard copy by regular mail/post. Those participants that register will be sent an email reserving their place together with an ‘Application Form’ to be signed by their correspondent supervisor and emailed back to the FGCZ. Upon receiving the signed ‘Application Form’, the participant will be considered and their place in the course will be confirmed.

IMPORTANT: The internal prices can be applied only, when paid by internal account.

Cancellation Policy

Please note that due to the high demand for this course any change related to your participation should be informed as soon as possible, but not later than ten (10) working days prior to the course start date. The notice must be e-mailed to:

If the cancellation of the course occurs after this time period, the tuition fee will not be refunded. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need any additional information or encounter any problems.

Expenses

Please beware that travel expenses, accommodation and meals are not included in the tuition fee. These will have to be covered by the participant entirely.

Changes to the course dates

The FGCZ reserves the right to postpone the course to a later date should the number of applicants be lower than six. This will be communicated to all registered participants six weeks prior to the course start.  

Registration

For registration, applicants should send an e-mail to:

with a short motivation letter (maximally 200 words) that includes applicants’ background, current education and interest in the metabolomics field.

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