Sample collection and handling
Please note that metabolic profiles consist of metabolites which are the end products of biological processes and can therefore be modified by enzymes and proteins. When a biological sample is collected, the metabolism is not quenched until the activity of the enzymes is stopped. That is why it is important to keep the samples at low temperature as soon as they are collected and they should be frozen as soon as possible. Samples should also remain frozen and stored with dry ice during transportation.
Some recommendations for standard biofluid collection and handling are provided below.
Protocols
It is essential that there are no barriers to accessing the clinical metadata of the project at the time of the analysis as it is used to ensure that the sample randomisation prior analysis will not compromise the statistical analysis later on.
Samples analysed
Samples collected must be fit for purpose. Differing biofluids provide unique metabolic signatures due to their organ-specific biological functions and outputs. For example, tissue samples not only provide an opportunity to study metabolism in the target pathology but from an analytical perspective, molecular imaging technologies can also be deployed for studying spatially resolved metabolic processes in histologically validated specimens. Where possible, metabonomic studies should seek to capture multiple biofluid types, which allows the phenome to be interrogated across biological compartments and it thus provides greater insight into whole organism metabolic signalling and system function.
The CPC routinely analyses urine, serum or plasma samples but also can analyse other biological fluids, including cerebrospinal fluid or faecal water, as well as tissue samples (either intact or after metabolite extraction).
Please note that further sample handling development might be required depending on the sample matrix collected.