Infrastructure

The Center largely builds on pre-​existing instruments, methods, workflows, and expertise that the Zamboni lab established over the past 15 years.

Mass spectrometry

For untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics, our workhorses are the Agilent 6550 QTOF and the Thermo QExactive HF-​X. In addition, Agilent kindly supports our activity with their newest Agilent 6546 QTOF that we employ to reach new standards.

Sample preparation

For project that require large scale or highly reproducible sample preparation, we have established several key protocols for e.g. polar and lipid fractions, cold (-20°C) and hot (up to 90°C) extraction, protein precipitation, lipid depletion, etc. on automated liquid handling devices such as the Hamilton Star and the Agilent Bravo systems.

Data processing and storage

Data analysis relies on workflows, methods, and algorithms that we developed to combine depth and breadth of metabolite coverage, scalability, and accuracy. Data and results and kept on a dedicated infrastructure provided by ETH IT Services. Results are delivered through Leonhardmed or directly by encrypted file transfer.