Metabolomics Course: 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.

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

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.

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.

Please note, that the above prices can only be applied if the tuition fee is paid through an internal, i.e. University of Zurich or ETHZ, account (valid Kostenstelle/PSP-Element).

An invoice will be issued upon registration. Registered participants will receive an email containing an “Application Form”, which must be signed by their respective supervisor.

The signed form should then be returned to the FGCZ via email as a PDF. Only upon receipt of the signed “Application Form”, will the participant’s registration be considered complete, and their place in the course officially confirmed.

Cancellation Policy

Please note that, due to the high demand for this course, any change  related to your participation must be communicated as soon as possible, but not later than twenty (20) working days prior to the course start date. The notice must be sent via email to . If the cancellation of the course occurs after this time period, the tuition fee will not be refunded.