ICAN Omics metabolomics: metabolite profiling platform

ICAN Omics metabolomics

What is metabolomics?

Metabolomics is the exhaustive study of all small organic molecules (less than 1000 Da). Metabolites and associated biochemical reactions form a common basis for the proper functioning of all organisms, with some specific features in certain cases.
To achieve this, it is possible to analyze the metabolites contained in biological matrices (plasma, serum, tissues, feces, etc.) in order to search for deregulations, compared to a control population for example.
The metabolism is based on a delicate balance: it constantly responds to recurrent external stimuli such as food, or to more specific stimuli such as the onset of a pathology.
The ultimate aim is to detect and quantify these metabolites that are outside the norm, in order to improve the prevention and/or treatment of various pathologies (better stratification of patients for more personalized treatment, adaptation of their lifestyle…).

The expertise of the ICAN Omics metabolomics platform is to propose different approaches to help develop precision medicine: with a simple blood test and a signature including various specific metabolites, it is possible to improve the prevention and/or treatment of various pathologies.
Our approaches are based on the profiling of a large number of metabolites using multidisciplinary skills combining bioinformatics, statistical tools and biochemical databases for the interpretation of results using a high-resolution mass spectrometer coupled to chromatographic systems.
Our approaches are adapted to the search for candidate biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic and treatment response purposes.
Other so-called targeted (or profiling) approaches rely on published or known markers to verify and/or validate their relevance to a pathology, or to represent a specific signature of a population.

Metabolome study
Acquisition and interpretation of metabolomic profiles
Analysis and quantification of several families of metabolites
Advice and implementation of metabolomic assays
Annotation, identification and structural elucidation of metabolites (HRMS, MS/MS)
Development and realization of specific methods (‘Custom method’)

Download the list of our molecules

IBiSA label renewed in 2023. Know more.Targeted approach

Absolute quantification of amino acids, tryptophan pathway, choline metabolism pathway (TMAO, Choline…), short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids (in dvlpt)

Untargeted approach

Profiling methodDetection and relative quantification of microbiota-related compounds belonging to the

Method 1: amino acids, organic compounds, phenols, methylamines and some indoles
Method 2: Acylcarnitines, free fatty acids and bile acids

Biological study matrices

Contact the operational manager for more information – Farid Ichou f.ichou@ihuican.org

Philippe Lesnik, (DR, UMR ICAN 1166)Scientific DirectorFarid Ichou (IR, ICAN)Operational manager

Training: reference platform for the Biomics course of the STA2E master’s degree from Université Paris Est Créteil
Local networks: UMS RésOmique (Sorbonne University), AP-HP, Inserm U1166
National networks: MetaboHub, RFMF, INSERM Microbiota Consortium
International networks: Metabomeeting, european regional metabolomics networks, Metabolomics Society

Access to our platform is via an analytical request.

The procedure after receipt of the request form is as follows:

Submission of the request form to the platform via “ Analytical request ” to the platform manager Farid Ichou: f.ichou@ihuican.org
Project evaluation and establishment of a tariff proposal
Validation of the specifications and signature of an estimate/agreement
Receipt of samples
Execution of the works according to the specifications (or the estimate)
Presentation of the final study report

Download the formConsult the user charter