Core Facility for Metabolomics

The Core Facility for Metabolomics have established four validated LC-MS/MS assays. The main focus area are analytes related to the endocrine system such as hormones and drugs that affect the action of hormones. 

Our methods are fully validated according to the FDA guidelines (external link) for the following parameters (specificity, precision, selectivity, sensitivity, reproducibility and stability). 

Ultradian Steroid Hormone Panel

The ultra-sensitive ultradian assay measures androgens, corticosteriods and progestogens in human serum and microdialysis samples. This unique method was designed to utilize very low sample volumes to measure time-series steroid profiles in interstitial fluid. 

Sample type and volume: Human serum (50 uL) and interstitial fluid (10 uL)

Analytes measured: Testosterone, Dihydro-testosterone, Cortisol, Cortisone, Aldosterone, 18-hydroxy-Cortisol, DHEAS, 21-deoxycortisol, dexamethasone, Corticosterone, allo-tetrahydrocortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, tetrahydrocortisol, Androstenedione, 17-hydroxy progesterone, Progesterone

Sample processing: Liquid-liquid extraction

LC-MS/MS instrument: Waters Acquity UPLC I-class w/2D technology, Waters Xevo TQ-XS

Read more about the ultradian steroid hormone assay here (external link)

Tamoxifen

This method quantifies tamoxifen and 13 metabolites in various human and animal matrixes. The method chromatographically separates clinically relevant isomers of the active tamoxifen metabolites endoxifen and 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen. 

Sample types: Human serum, plasma, bonemarrow plasma, breast milk and tissue. Mouse plasma and tissue. 

Volumes required: 25 mg for tissue and 20 uL for liquid matrixes

Analytes measured: Tamoxifen, ND-tamoxifen, 4OH-tamoxifen (Z, E and Z-4' isomers), 3OH-tamoxifen, endoxifen (Z, E and Z,E-4' isomers), Tamoxifen-N-oxide, NNDD-tamoxifen, Z-α-tamoxifen, cis-β-tamoxifen. 

Sample processing: Protein precipitation (+homogenization for tissue samples)

LC-MS/MS instrument: Waters Acquity UPLC Classic, Waters Xevo TQ-S

The validation of the method in various matrixes have been published separately: 

Tamoxifen in human serum (external link)

Tamoxien in bone marrow plasma (external link)

Tamoxifen in breast milk (external link)

Tamoxifen in human breast tissue (external link)

Ulipristal and celecoxib

This assay measures the emergency contraception drug Ulipristal Acetate (Ella) and celecoxib, which is a NSAID class painkiller. 

Sample types and volumes: Human and mouse serum, 20 uL

Analytes measured: Ulipristal Acetate (brand name: Ella), Celecoxib (brand name: Celebra)

Sample processing: Protein precipitation

LC-MS/MS instrument: Waters Acquity UPLC Classic, Waters Xevo TQ-S

Publication of the method is in process. Please conctact thomas.helland@uib.no for validation data. 

The core facility for metabolomics offers high-quality LC-MS/MS analysis of steroid hormones and endocrine therapy–related drugs. Below you will find an overview of pricing for our established assays. For new compounds, method development is available and will be quoted following an initial feasibility assessment. Pricing is user-dependent and reflects the nature of the collaboration. Collaborative partners are typically research groups that engage in scientific projects together with the core facility, where the facility contributes to the analytical work and is included in publications related to the generated data.

Booking

All users are recommended to contact the facility directly for an inital dialogue about the project.

After an initial discussion, bookings should be made use the bookitlab system: https://ecore.bookitlab.com/uib/ (external link) 

Pricing

Updated prices will be available shortly