Targeted Metabolomics – Biocrates Assay | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Source: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/facilities/nih-metabolomics-consortium/biocrates
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
Targeted Metabolomics – Biocrates Assay | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
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Targeted Metabolomics – Biocrates Assay
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Table of Contents
About
Cost
Analytical Approach
Accepted Samples
What is Included?
Conditions
Contact
About
The Biocrates MxP® Quant 500 kit, a
targeted metabolomics
assay, is run at the NIA site. Please see detailed information at
Biocrates
. The MxP® Quant 500 kit measures and reports quantitative values for specific small molecules with a predominant focus on lipids – details, including the
list of metabolites
assayed, can be found here. Only those metabolites covered by the kit are measured and reported.
Dozens of metabolites known to be synthesized and modulated by microbiota.
Metabolites are reported with names and quantitative values.
Up to 630 metabolites from 26 biochemical classes.
Other kits offered by Biocrates, including some that have more
limited coverage and lower cost
can also be run if preferred.
Kits come in different sizes (a 96-well plate kit has room for ~80 samples; a 56-well plate kit has room for ~40 samples), so please consult with the Core in selecting the appropriate kit for your experiment.
Cost
The following are the costs as of November 2, 2023:
MxP Quant 500 XL Kit (80 Samples) ≈ $8700
MxP Quant 500 XL Kit (40 Samples) ≈ $5800
MxP® Quant 500 kit (80 samples) ≈ $7800
MxP® Quant 500 kit (40 samples) ≈ $5200
Absolute IDQ® p180 kit (40 samples) ≈ $5500
Absolute IDQ® p180 kit (40 samples) ≈ $3631
We recognize that you may not wish to purchase a full kit as you may not have enough samples to warrant it. If your experiment does not fill a kit, we will attempt to merge your samples with those from other experiments to limit cost to you (through cost-sharing with the other investigators). We will discuss logistics on a case-by-case basis, but, because of this, if you do not wish to purchase a full kit, the cost per sample and timing of your experiment run may vary somewhat depending on the availability of other samples.
Analytical Approach
Metabolites are measured using a Nexera HPLC system (Shimadzu) coupled to a 6500 QTRAP® mass spectrometer (AB Sciex) with an electrospray ionization source. Lipids, acyl carnitines, and hexoses are measured over two injections by flow injection analysis-tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) in positive ionization modes. Amino acids, amino acid related, carboxylic acids, fatty acids, indole derivatives, biogenic amines, bile acids, cresols, alkaloids, amine oxides, hormones, vitamins and cofactors, and nucleobases related metabolites are measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) from two injections in positive and negative ionization modes. Data from all injections are imported and quantified in Biocrates WebIDQ™ software. Analytes in the LC-MS/MS part are quantified using either external 7-point calibration curves with labeled standards or internally with labeled standards. Analytes in the FIA-MS/MS part are quantified using internal standards.
Accepted Samples
The types of samples accepted for analysis are listed below, along with the recommended (and minimum) material required. Additional sample types are welcome but will be accepted after consultation, on a case-by-case basis. Further, if minimum material amounts cannot be met, please contact us for guidance. Replicates and additional important technical issues relating to sample preparation can be discussed during initial consultation.
Sample Types
Minimum Material
Recommended Material
Biofluids
Tissues
Serum or Plasma
20 microliters
50 microliters
CSF
30 microliters
50 microliters
Urine
30 microliters
50 microliters
Cells
Mammalian Cells (Cell Lysates)
3 million
5 million
Brain, Muscle
~15 mg tissue
30 – 50 mg tissue
What is Included?
All experiments include consultation on experimental design.
Analytical measurement of samples by UHPLC-HRMS/MS.
Sample preparation handled by the sample submitter (protocols will be provided) or by Core personnel on a case-by-case basis.
Processing of raw data via formatting, quality control, and data cleaning.
Conditions
Samples must be prepared according to specifications. We reserve the right to refuse samples which do not adhere to guidance.
We kindly request that you consider co-authorship or acknowledgement in any resulting work (manuscript, presentation, etc.)
Contact
NIA Participating Laboratory
Ruin Moaddel, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
Tel 410-558-8294
[email protected]
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: December 23, 2025
Skip Navigation
Targeted Metabolomics – Biocrates Assay
Close the left navigation
Add
Table of Contents
About
Cost
Analytical Approach
Accepted Samples
What is Included?
Conditions
Contact
About
The Biocrates MxP® Quant 500 kit, a
targeted metabolomics
assay, is run at the NIA site. Please see detailed information at
Biocrates
. The MxP® Quant 500 kit measures and reports quantitative values for specific small molecules with a predominant focus on lipids – details, including the
list of metabolites
assayed, can be found here. Only those metabolites covered by the kit are measured and reported.
Dozens of metabolites known to be synthesized and modulated by microbiota.
Metabolites are reported with names and quantitative values.
Up to 630 metabolites from 26 biochemical classes.
Other kits offered by Biocrates, including some that have more
limited coverage and lower cost
can also be run if preferred.
Kits come in different sizes (a 96-well plate kit has room for ~80 samples; a 56-well plate kit has room for ~40 samples), so please consult with the Core in selecting the appropriate kit for your experiment.
Cost
The following are the costs as of November 2, 2023:
MxP Quant 500 XL Kit (80 Samples) ≈ $8700
MxP Quant 500 XL Kit (40 Samples) ≈ $5800
MxP® Quant 500 kit (80 samples) ≈ $7800
MxP® Quant 500 kit (40 samples) ≈ $5200
Absolute IDQ® p180 kit (40 samples) ≈ $5500
Absolute IDQ® p180 kit (40 samples) ≈ $3631
We recognize that you may not wish to purchase a full kit as you may not have enough samples to warrant it. If your experiment does not fill a kit, we will attempt to merge your samples with those from other experiments to limit cost to you (through cost-sharing with the other investigators). We will discuss logistics on a case-by-case basis, but, because of this, if you do not wish to purchase a full kit, the cost per sample and timing of your experiment run may vary somewhat depending on the availability of other samples.
Analytical Approach
Metabolites are measured using a Nexera HPLC system (Shimadzu) coupled to a 6500 QTRAP® mass spectrometer (AB Sciex) with an electrospray ionization source. Lipids, acyl carnitines, and hexoses are measured over two injections by flow injection analysis-tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) in positive ionization modes. Amino acids, amino acid related, carboxylic acids, fatty acids, indole derivatives, biogenic amines, bile acids, cresols, alkaloids, amine oxides, hormones, vitamins and cofactors, and nucleobases related metabolites are measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) from two injections in positive and negative ionization modes. Data from all injections are imported and quantified in Biocrates WebIDQ™ software. Analytes in the LC-MS/MS part are quantified using either external 7-point calibration curves with labeled standards or internally with labeled standards. Analytes in the FIA-MS/MS part are quantified using internal standards.
Accepted Samples
The types of samples accepted for analysis are listed below, along with the recommended (and minimum) material required. Additional sample types are welcome but will be accepted after consultation, on a case-by-case basis. Further, if minimum material amounts cannot be met, please contact us for guidance. Replicates and additional important technical issues relating to sample preparation can be discussed during initial consultation.
Sample Types
Minimum Material
Recommended Material
Biofluids
Tissues
Serum or Plasma
20 microliters
50 microliters
CSF
30 microliters
50 microliters
Urine
30 microliters
50 microliters
Cells
Mammalian Cells (Cell Lysates)
3 million
5 million
Brain, Muscle
~15 mg tissue
30 – 50 mg tissue
What is Included?
All experiments include consultation on experimental design.
Analytical measurement of samples by UHPLC-HRMS/MS.
Sample preparation handled by the sample submitter (protocols will be provided) or by Core personnel on a case-by-case basis.
Processing of raw data via formatting, quality control, and data cleaning.
Conditions
Samples must be prepared according to specifications. We reserve the right to refuse samples which do not adhere to guidance.
We kindly request that you consider co-authorship or acknowledgement in any resulting work (manuscript, presentation, etc.)
Contact
NIA Participating Laboratory
Ruin Moaddel, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
Tel 410-558-8294
[email protected]
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: December 23, 2025