Metabolomics is the global profiling of small metabolites such as amino acids, glycolytic, TCA and pentose cycle metabolites, and in combination with lipidomics (fatty acids, acyl carntines, phospholipids, di- and tri-glycerides) presents a powerful approach to functional biology for biomedical, clinical questions. Fluxomics uses stable isotopes to assess intra- and inter-organ flux. Use of fluxomics combined with metabolomics yields a comprehensive picture of metabolic regulation, and how its is impacted by disease.
The newly established Einstein Stable Isotope & Metabolomics Core (SIMC) uses stable isotope flux and metabolite profiling to help formulate and test hypotheses about the metabolic consequences of various changes in gene expression and protein function, in order to guide further integrative systems biology analyses of the underlying mechanisms in diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetic complications. The SIMC Facility is a nonprofit organization established at the Einstein Diabetes Center. It is designed to provide services on the recharge basis. SIMC’s evaluation framework complements the analyses performed in the Animal Physiology Core, such as measurements of whole body carbohydrate/fatty acid oxidation, energy expenditure, tissue-specific insulin sensitivity, glucose, protein and fatty acid metabolism.