MetaKey^® - Metabolomics

The metabolomics platform for in vitro, in vivo and clinical samples

MetaKey^® is a multi-approach metabolomics platform that can be used in combination with our in vitro simulators but also as a self-standing metabolomics service for clinical samples and other in vitro and in vivo samples like urine, blood, saliva, feces, tissues, and cells.

Broad-spectrum metabolomics, from fingerprint screening to targeted and untargeted metabolomics profiling

It combines a high-throughput and cost-efficient metabolic fingerprinttechnology, LA-REIMS and an in-depth UHPLC-high resolution mass spectrometry platform for untargeted and targeted metabolic profiling.

A high-throughput metabolomics screening of samples with LA-REIMS

The innovative LA-REIMS (Laser-assisted rapid evaporative ionization MS) platform enables the characterization of a large number of samples with short turnaround times and low budget, thanks to the minimal pre-treatment requirements and the mass-spec profiling obtained in less than one minute per sample. The technology focusses on the classification of samples in different metabotypes and clusters rather than on the precise identification of metabolites.

Targeted metabolomics or global metabolic profiling with UHPLC-mass spectrometry

The UHPLC-high resolution Mass Spectrometry platform, is a well-established technique for the identification and quantification of single molecules (metabolites). MetaKey^® offers both Global Profiling services, based on our in-house library, which covers a broad section of the polar metabolites, and Targeted Panels, each one covering specific sets of compounds, organized according to chemical class or common biochemical function. Panel examples include the neuroactives (metabolites that can have a direct impact on neuronal function), biogenic amines (decarboxylation products of amino acids, involved in general cellular metabolism but also in disease) and tryptophan metabolites.

The UHPLC-HRMS Metakey^® platform allows to generate a high-quality dataset that will provide increased insights into the mechanism of action but also into potential health benefits of the test products. To get most out of your data we adjust ourselves to your needs. A such we can provide you with the processed data for your own data mining and interpretation work, assist you in performing the statistics or provide you with our expert interpretation on the metabolic changes and underlying biological mechanisms.

Gut Metabolite Profiling

The Gut Metabolite Profiling is a powerful tool designed to unlock the metabolic potential of your product in both health and disease contexts. As the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health, metabolomics has become essential for assessing the metabolic changes that occur alongside microbial shifts. In response, ProDigest has enhanced its metabolomics services with a tailored gut metabolite profiling solution.

The Gut Metabolite Profiling includes 230 key metabolites carefully selected from hundreds of scientific studies. This comprehensive, yet concise set of metabolite markers covers diverse functionalities, such as immunity, and disease concepts like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It provides broad coverage in terms of metabolite origin (both microbial and host-derived), chemical ontology (spanning over 30 classes), and metabolic relevance (encompassing more than 15 pathways).

This advanced profiling tool offers valuable metabolic insights, revealing the unexplored potential of your product. On the other hand, prior knowledge may already point towards a more narrow focus, for which also sub-profiles are available per functionality and disease state.

Eventually, in-depth statistical analysis of the metabolite data may reveal interesting metabolic paths for biological interpretations. To this end, the  knowledge that has been gathered when compiling the metabolite profile will serve as the perfect guide to unravel interesting mechanisms of action.

The complete metabolomics package, a combination of LA-REIMS and UHPLC-MS

The biggest strength of the MetaKey^® platform lies in combing the power of the LA-REIMS and UHPLC-HRMS to bring high-throughput screening and detailed metabolomic analysis together. The metabolic fingerprints generated with LA-REIMS can be subjected to multivariate statistical analyses leading to the selection of the most interesting samples for further in-depth metabolic assessment using UHPLC-HRMS, when the focus of research is the exploration of biochemical mechanisms. Using this dual technological platform, a customized and cost-efficient strategy can be elaborated for every project and experimental design.

---

Research endpoints

LA-REIMS

• General metabolome screening

HPLC-HRMS

• Targeted metabolite determination
• Specific pathways and panels: Amino acids, bile acids, neuroactives,…