Scientific multiuser equipment: acquisition of a nuclear magnetic resonance equipment designed for metabolomics studies

• Grant number: 22/11588-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Infrastructure Program - Scientific
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2030
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Gilberto Ferreira
• Grantee: Antonio Gilberto Ferreira
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Aparecida Maria Catai ; João Batista Fernandes ; Maria Fátima das Graças Fernandes da Silva ; Roberto Gomes de Souza Berlinck
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/09149-1 - Application of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Metabolomics Studies, BP.TT

Abstract

The present proposal aims the acquisition of a 14.7 Tesla Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) (600 MHz for hydrogen frequency), configured with the latest generation accessories for specifically (but not only) research involving Metabolomics. Metabolomics is a frontier and interdisciplinary area that meets research in the medical area, sports science, food science, natural products, etc, as included in this proposal. It aims to find metabolic responses associated with various types of stress sources, such as: the presence of pathologies, environmental factors, physical activities, interactions between microorganisms and hosts, etc. Among the main focuses are those of a more basic nature, such as the understanding of stressing processes, but also the search for new bioactive molecules (as for natural products), the origin designation and adulteration of foods and herbal medicines, the search for low molecular mass biomarkers associated with the presence of pathologies (as for the of development of new diagnostic methods), etc. All this information is certainly obtained with the use of statistical tools which allow to understand the affected biochemical pathways, and the quantification of these changes. Therefore, it is a highly qualified type of study which demands excellent data acquisition. Despite the limited detection levels, NMR has proved to be an excellent tool, due to its very high reproducibility, easier sample preparation and nondestructive. However, human interference is still an important factor in the quality of the data and can, in some cases, introduce deviations in the analysis causing problems in the conclusions. In addition, it increases the cost of analysis, once the time for analysis gets longer. In this sense, Bruker has developed, in recent years, a platform that minimizes human interference in this type of analysis. This platform, called IVDR (In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation) is related to a faster highly automated and standardized medical protocols, developed with minimal human interaction, aiming to speed up and reducing the cost of these analysis. This platform includes accessories that allow for, in an automated and standardized way: sample preparation, transfer to NMR tubes, automatic sample exchange, refined pH and temperature control to avoid (or minimize) decomposition of the sample, the acquisition and processing of data, feeding of databases (if desired), including the possibility of issuing a report with several metabolites identified and quantified with methods which are already optimized. This equipment aims to attend research projects in metabolomics related to sports science, occupational health, rare diseases, biological fermentation processes, metabolomics studies of living organisms and their interactions, metabolomics applied to food, effects of COVID-19, etc. In general, the great impact that such equipment brings to the academic community of the most diverse areas is the quicky and very high quality/reproducibility which the analyzes are performed, as well as the potential of statistical programs in the treatment and assistance of the users, who have a very big data under their control. This context places the Brazilian research in metabolomics and, in particular, the state of São Paulo, at the same level as those which has been done in highly developed countries, providing important responses to the problems presented and increasing the impact of publications. (AU)