Metabolomic technology development and the departmental analytical spectroscopy service
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The analysis of metabolites is central to plant science research. The project concerns the development and application of the technology involved in high-throughput metabolite analysis. The work of the team has two elements:-
1. Research and development of metabolomics technology for plant and crop systems analysis.
2. Provision of an internal NMR and MS service for targeted metabolite analysis
Research is focussed on the development of NMR, MS and associated data-handling methods for metabolomic fingerprinting of plant extracts. Novel techniques for increasing coverage and throughput of metabolomic data collection, and in downstream data processing, analysis and biological context interpretation are priorities. Using model plants (e.g. Arabidopsis) the project aims to establish methods and demonstrate application of metabolomics in gene function analysis, trait analysis, metabolic dynamics, plant development and responses to stress and disease. Methodologies are applied to crop science programmes and contribute to understanding, at the molecular level, of quality traits, including those concerning diet and health, effect of GM, nutrient uptake, disease and environmental interactions and biofuel improvement.
The departmental analytical service (a function distinct from the metabolomics research) provides MS and NMR equipment maintenance and technical assistance to support research groups requiring targeted metabolite analysis.
1. Research and development of metabolomics technology for plant and crop systems analysis.
2. Provision of an internal NMR and MS service for targeted metabolite analysis
Research is focussed on the development of NMR, MS and associated data-handling methods for metabolomic fingerprinting of plant extracts. Novel techniques for increasing coverage and throughput of metabolomic data collection, and in downstream data processing, analysis and biological context interpretation are priorities. Using model plants (e.g. Arabidopsis) the project aims to establish methods and demonstrate application of metabolomics in gene function analysis, trait analysis, metabolic dynamics, plant development and responses to stress and disease. Methodologies are applied to crop science programmes and contribute to understanding, at the molecular level, of quality traits, including those concerning diet and health, effect of GM, nutrient uptake, disease and environmental interactions and biofuel improvement.
The departmental analytical service (a function distinct from the metabolomics research) provides MS and NMR equipment maintenance and technical assistance to support research groups requiring targeted metabolite analysis.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
Publications
Andersson AA
(2008)
Phytochemical and dietary fiber components in barley varieties in the HEALTHGRAIN Diversity Screen.
in Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
Andralojc PJ
(2012)
2-Carboxy-D-arabinitol 1-phosphate (CA1P) phosphatase: evidence for a wider role in plant Rubisco regulation.
in The Biochemical journal
Baker JM
(2012)
Combined NMR and flow injection ESI-MS for Brassicaceae metabolomics.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Beale M
(2013)
50 Years of Phytochemistry Research - Volume 43
Beale MH
(2009)
Establishing substantial equivalence: metabolomics.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Borah K
(2021)
Metabolic fluxes for nutritional flexibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
in Molecular systems biology
Carmo-Silva AE
(2009)
Drought stress increases the production of 5-hydroxynorvaline in two C4 grasses.
in Phytochemistry
| Description | This was an infrastructure grant, part of the Rothamsted core strategic budget. This funded the institute analytical service, which provided analytical support and method development for NMR and MS methodologies to underpin strategic plant and crop biology. |
| Exploitation Route | Metabolite identification and structure determination formed a key part in many strategic programmes in the Institute. These are reported on in the relevant project reports. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
| Description | The analytical facility continues to form an important part of Rothamsted's core structure. The facility is the platform upon which plant metabolomics research and service was developed. The facility is a showpiece for the technology and as such forms a key part of the institute's outreach program including open days, schools visits, apprenticeships and service function to internal and external collaborators via collaborative grants and fee-for-service. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2003 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Title | Plant Metabolomic Profiling |
| Description | Methods and technology for the high throughput compositional screening of plant genetic resources (metabolomics). The core screen is based on automated sample preparation and handling and analysis. Intial screening is carried out by a semi-automated combined nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and direct infusion electrospray mass spectrometric (MS) analysis. Multivariate analysis of thes profiles is utilised to discover metabolite biomarkers that correlate with the biological phenomenum and the genetic map of the species under study. Deeper analysis and biomarker authetication is carried out by ultra high resolution LC-MS studies and where relevant GC-MS analysis. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The Rothamsted plant metabolomics centre (MeT-RO) is a national facility, and was a pioneer to the development of other international centres in many advanced nations. Methods and philosophies developed in Rothamsted have been taken up by many other groups, particularly in the plant area, but also in the medical diagnostic use of metabolomics. |
| Description | 12th International Congress of Metabolomics Society (Dublin) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | lecture by Dr Jane Ward entitled " Novel pathways, metabolites and bioactivity - A fresh look on salicinoid biosynthesis through NMR-MS metabolomics" to experts and students in metabolomics, well received by peers |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | 2hr NMR- tutorial co-presented with Jane Ward (RRes) for Noble Foundation staff and students, Oklahoma, Nov 2012 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Teaching tutorial aimed at plant scientists unfamiliar to NMR technology - "Using NMR in plant science - principles and practice" This talk coincided with purchase of an advanced NMR-MS system by the Noble Foundation. As chair of the steering committee involved in securing the NSF funding for this procurement and in the negotiation with the instrument manufacturers, advice on implementation and operation of advanced NMR-MS in plant and crop science was well received. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | 50th Anniversary Meeting of Phytochemical Society of North America, Hawaii, Dec 2012 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Keynote lecture "Realising the Potential of Plant Metabolomics" in symposium celebrating 50 years of the Phytochemical Society of North America This meeting gave us the opportunity to showpiece our work to North American audience of experts in natural products chemistry, further enhancing the reputation of the Rothamsted metabolomics group. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | 50th Anniversary Meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America, Hawaii |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | The talk "Unexpected hemiterpenoids in Arabidopsis, revealed by metabolomic fingerprinting, give new insights into C-N metabolic balancing" received much positive feedback and interesting questions After the meeting we were approached by the editor of Recent Advances in Phytochemistry to contribute an invited chapter to celebrate 50 years of phytochemistry research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | 8th Annual Meeting of the Metabolomics Society, Washington, DC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | The talk "1H-NMR-MS Metabolomic Analysis of Arabidopsis Uncovers a Novel, Nitrate-Gated, Carbon Flux Safety Valve" received positive feedback None |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Metabolomics Society Annual Congress 2010- Plant Metabolomics Technology Review: |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Teaching workshop talk entitled "separating the wheat from the chaff - getting the most out of plant metabolomics experiments" This talk was part review of the technology and part advisory on experiences working in the area. This talk and subsequent discussions with delegates, including students, allowed us to relate our own experience in the establishment of a metabolomics centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | National Institutes of Bioscience Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The talk "Identifying the unknowns: A major problem in metabolomics but a key to mapping C-flow in plant biochemical networks" was chosen to present at the NIBs meeting of Institute Directors. A variety of questions were asked after the presentation The work is exemplar in addressing one of the main problems in metabolomics studies. Similar approaches are now being taken in new projects across institute ISPs |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Participation in Chelsea Flower Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The exhibit received many visitors and stimulated questions and discussions Award of a silver gilt medal |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006 |
| Description | Public Lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A public lecture was given entitled 'Beneficial Phytochemicals in Cereal Grains and Other Foods'. This was an invited talk as part of Rothamsteds series of public lectures. After the presentation multiple questions arose from members of the public |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | Rothamsted Open Weekend |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | MeT-RO is housed within The National Metabolomics Centre at Rothamsted Research. This state of the art facility comprises modern spectroscopy equipment and has recently been supplemented with two bespoke robotic systems for metabolomic sample preparation. This showpiece laboratory therefore receives many visitors from students to visiting academics through to policy makers and the general public. The facility was demonstrated to the public at two Rothamsted open weekends (October, 2006 and May 2010). Unknown |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2010 |