Advanced Testing in Omics using Mass Spectrometry (ATOMS)

Project Summary – Metabolism and Metabolomics Core Metabolomics and Proteomics Core. The purpose of the Metabolomics and Proteomics (MAP) Core is to encourage and facilitate the use of targeted and untargeted analytical methods for nutritional epidemiological and intervention studies, to provide access to state-of-the-art techniques and equipment to bench scientists, and to provide cost-effective assays for investigators without lab facilities. The Core was established in 1999 under the leadership of Dr. Steven Zeisel. Dr. Susan Sumner joined UNC in 2017 and took on the leadership of the Core. Dr. Laura Herring joined the Core in 2023 to expand services to the Chapel Hill main campus and provide proteomics services in addition to mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. The Core specializes in using state-of-the-art metabolomics and exposome technologies to determine how molecules that are present in cells, tissues, and biological fluids are associated with weight status, nutrient status, and states of health and wellness. The measurement of perturbations in metabolism that arise from disease, dysfunction, or exposure (e.g., chemicals, drugs, nutrients, foods, stress) is referred to as metabolomics. The measurement of all exposures and the impact on endogenous metabolism is referred to as the exposome. Metabolomics is an ideal approach to assess the impact of nutrition and diet on health because individuals have different nutrient requirements and individuals respond differently to nutrient intake and diet and exercise interventions. The Core also provides metals assays and quantitative targeted analysis of metabolites involved in one carbon metabolism for nutrition and obesity studies. The Core’s services are unique and do not overlap with the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute (NC TraCS) or other UNC core services. The Core offers services and equipment at both the Chapel Hill main campus and the UNC Nutrition Research Institute campus (two hours from Chapel Hill in Kannapolis, NC) to make use of unique equipment and to broaden access to services for both UNC NORC members and external users.