- What is the Small Molecule Biomarker Core (SMBC)?
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Established in 2009, the SMBC provides accurate and robust quantitation of small molecules in biological matrices by UPLC-MS/MS.
- Can my small molecule(s) be quantified?
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The SMBC has validated UPLC-MS/MS methods for a number of small molecule panels. If your molecules are not on the list, a new method may be developed and validated. Please contact Dr. Raymond E. West III for details.
- What matrices are acceptable?
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We accept samples in serum, plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cervical mucus, tissues or cell lysates.
- What’s the turnaround time for samples?
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It is usually 1-2 weeks for assays already in place. The turnaround time may be longer if a new assay needs to be developed and validated, a large batch is submitted, or we have a backlog of samples to be analyzed.
- How much do you charge?
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Assay validation services are charged on an hourly basis and quantitative analytical services are charged on a per sample basis. For details, please contact Dr. Raymond E. West III.
- Should I acknowledge your service? How?
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The major UPLC-MS/MS instruments were acquired with funds awarded to two NIH S10 grants. Therefore, the SMBC and S10 grants should be acknowledged in all publications, oral and poster presentations, and conference abstracts. Please include the following statement in the acknowledgement section:
"This project used the service of the University of Pittsburgh Small Molecule Biomarker Core facility, which was graciously supported, in part, by the University of Pittsburgh Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences, and the National Institutes of Health S10RR023461 and S10OD028540."
In addition, the core personnel should be acknowledged with co-authorship when they have not only provided quality service, but made intellectual contributions to your work.
- How does your service differ from that offered by the Health Sciences Mass Spectrometry Core?
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The two cores are both part of the Health Sciences Core Research Facilities (HSCRF). The two core facilities provide services that are complementary to each other. The Health Sciences Mass Spectrometry Core focuses on metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics analyses while the SMBC typically provides targeted analysis of small molecules and biomarkers.
- Who can I contact if I still have questions?
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For analysis requests and questions, please contact Dr. Raymond E. West III.