Friday, May 23, 2025
5/23/2025
Centralization and Modernization of a Quantitative Metabolomics Center - ABSTRACT Metabolomics, the comprehensive characterization of small molecules in biological systems is offering unprecedented insights into biological systems. Facilitated by next-generation mass spectrometry instruments, metabolomics research has grown rapidly over the past 15 years. However, mass spectrometry is a resource- intensive analytical approach requiring significant investment in infrastructure, technology, and domain expertise to produce high quality data. Because of this, most investigators outsource analyses to commercial entities or collaborators at other institutions. As a result, the metabolomic needs of researchers far outstrip the availability of facilities that can offer analytical, educational and training opportunities. Outsourcing also results in elevated costs, a lack of methodological transparency and standardization, major restrictions on available approaches, missed training opportunities, and an inability to innovate and accelerate discovery. Therefore, in 2021 we established the Quantitative Metabolite Analysis Center (QMAC) at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). We fund raised to support purchase of five mass spectrometers and hire a small team of domain experts to facilitate metabolomics research and training needs of a broad range of intramural and extramural investigators. However, currently QMAC instruments and personnel are decentralized across multiple locations at UCSF. In several cases, instruments sit in outdated laboratory spaces not designed to house mass spectrometers. This results in significant workflow inefficiencies and substantially reduces the number of research studies and trainees that can be served. Thus, we propose to renovate 3,100 square feet of shell space at the UCSF PH campus to centralize and modernize the Quantitative Metabolomics Analysis Center to meet the growing need for metabolomics research, development, education, embedded training and workforce development. The proposed centralized QMAC will offer study design guidance, sample processing, data generation and analytic support. It will continue to make newly developed mass spectrometry analytical tools available to the broader research community. The proposed center will offer education and embedded training opportunities and hands-on instrument time to accelerate new tool development. We propose a design that enhances indoor workspace conditions, pays attention to issues of energy efficiency and green chemistry and prioritizes research, education, training, and integration with other research facilities across UCSF and beyond.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).