Trans-NIH Metabolomics Core (TNMC)

The Trans-NIH Metabolomics Core (TNMC) is a shared research resource that performs metabolomics analysis (and related small molecule research) for investigators at all Institutes and Centers across the NIH Intramural Research Program. The TNMC is administered at NIEHS with participating laboratories at NIEHS, NIA, and NIAID. The TNMC was established in 2023 and continues to grow in the offerings provided, expertise, and participatory labs.

Established Technologies

Metabolomics measures the small molecules – endogenous and exogenous – that underpin biological changes in response to diet, behavior, exposure, disease, and more.

Currently, the TNMC offers two general types of metabolomics approaches – targeted and untargeted – covering different aspects of metabolism and to varying degrees of analytical measurement. Each offering has unique requirements, deliverables, and costs – please review the information for each offering carefully. The specific metabolomics assays offered, by site, are:

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

• Targeted Metabolomics – Biocrates Assay – Quantitative measurement of small molecule metabolites and lipids using assay kits supplied by biocrates.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID)

• Bile Acids – Quantification of primary and secondary bile acids, including conjugated and free forms.
• Short Chain Fatty Acids – Quantification of short-chain fatty acids (consult prior to sample collection).
• Targeted Lipidomics – Relative quantitation of a broad panel of >1700 individual glycerolipid, sphingolipid, and sterol lipids.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

• Untargeted Metabolomics – Measurement of the relative changes of all detectable chemicals/metabolites in a specimen as part of a global metabolic profile.

Pricing

Cost varies across assays but is highly competitive with academic laboratories and commercial services. For example, the untargeted metabolomics assay from NIEHS costs $120 per sample. Cost will be discussed and agreed upon prior to starting the project. Different NIH Institutes/Centers handle Investigator costs for Trans-NIH core facilities using different mechanisms, so we recommend that you inquire with your Lab/Branch Chief or Scientific Director.