Research
The research component of the center is foundational to our mission. It encompasses three main thrusts to drive its success: Basic Science, Translational/Clinical efforts, and Technology Development.
Metabolomics is the study of metabolites, the chemical products of metabolic pathways, which are deposited in the body’s biofluids and tissues. The composition and concentration of these metabolites vary in the body in response to injury, stress, and environmental stimuli. In our laboratories, we employ state of the art mass spectrometry to detect even the slightest changes in the concentration of metabolites in biological samples. The sensitivity and accuracy of modern mass spectrometers combined with our powerful and interactive statistical software have provided us with a unique ability to perform high-throughput, yet detailed, analysis of the metabolome.
Basic Science
Metabolomics is an approach crafted from basic research and the combining of information from systems in the domains of biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, and engineering.
Translational and Clinical Research
Translating laboratory research into clinical practice and application is a key consideration. The proximity of GUMC to the hospital, Lombardi Cancer Center, and its location in the Greater Washington Area provide many opportunities to collaborate and develop translational studies.
Technology Development
Metabolomics is a new and rapidly developing field and the underlying technology including instrumentation, bioinformatics, database mining, and refinement.