Platform 4
Functional Omics

Our Platform 4 Experts

Dr. Laura Sycuro
Dr. Ian Lewis

“We aim to provide access to world-class resources, bioinformatic expertise, and analytical tools to harness omics technologies for the determination of mechanism and causation.”

Additional expertise provided by Dr. Janet Hill at the University of Saskatchewan.

What We Offer

IMPACTT Microbiome Standards & Benchmarking

IMPACTT Microbiome StandardsFour standards are available, each with the same defined microbial community spike-in of 45 phylogenetically diverse, evenly distributed bacteria encased in human fecal matrix (3 types) or PBS (1 type). These standards were developed by Platform 4 Lead Dr. Laura Sycuro in partnership with Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe. Along with our standards, we are also producing: whole genome sequences of all 45 bacteria in the community spike-in; metagenomic assemblies of each fecal matrix; and 16S reference sequences and analysis pipelines/recommendations.

Standards are free for Canadian labs! Not in Canada? Just pay shipping. All we ask in return is that you participate in our benchmarking exercise with the standards to help us advance the field of microbiome research.

Omics Research Support

Get support for your multi-omics projects, from experimental design to data collection to analysis. Learn to how to: isolate, preserve, and measure your targets; analyze comparative and functional genomics, metagenomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and epigenetics; identify and employ cost-effective strategies for -omics studies. Contact us for more details.

Calgary Metabolomics Research Facility (CMRF)

Calgary Metabolomics Research Facility: Access services offered by CMRF at the International Microbiome Centre (IMC), which includes two biosafety-level laboratories (for processing eukaryotic and prokaryotic samples), as well as an engineering lab and a mass spectrometry facility for high-resolution and targeted analysis of samples. The CMRF also has automated platforms for sample preparation, fully-equipped microbial laboratories, and can provide extensive bioinformatics support. Contact us for details.

Services offered:

  • Quantitative assessment of microbial nutrient utilization in complex systems
  • Quantification of central carbon metabolites and analysis of intracellular metabolic activities
  • Short chain fatty acid analysis and lipidomics
  • Consultation for microbiome-related research projects
  • Support for analyzing metabolomics data, including data involving complex host-microbiome interactions
  • Metabolic pathway analysis via empiric methods such as isotope tracing and metabolic boundary flux analyses

Microbial Genomics Service Core

Access services offered by the Microbial Genomics Service Core at the International Microbiome Centre (IMC), offering cutting-edge technologies and services to academic, industry, and government partners.

Services offered:

  • Amplicon sequencing
    • 16S rRNA and cpn60 gene targets (bacteria)
    • ITS1/2 (yeast/fungi)
    • Single or multiple variable regions
  • Shotgun metagenomics
    • library prep options for every budget
    • Shallow or deep Illumina sequencing
  • RNA-Seq / Metatranscriptomics 
    • Bulk RNA-Seq and target enrichment
  • Whole Genome Sequencing
    • Cost-effective and high-throughput
    • Includes assembly and annotation

Sample types accepted:

  • Mouse, human, & environmental samples
  • Complex biological & microbiome samples
  • Fluid biopsies & fecal samples
  • Multi- and single-cell samples
  • Low biomass samples
  • & more

 

 

 

 

Data Science Service Core

Access services offered by the Data Science Service Core at the International Microbiome Centre (IMC). Stay tuned for more information!

Other Facilities

TEAMics

The TEAMics facility in Edmonton, AB, Canada

Other Resources

Mosaic

Mosaic is a cloud-based microbiome informatics platform, described as a “secure and collaborative community platform where researchers can develop, improve, and share data and methods to facilitate the translation of microbiome research into clinical applications.”

nmrML

nmrML is an open mark-up language for NMR data currently under development. It is coordinated by COSMOS (Coordination of Standards in Metabolomics Project), a global effort to enable free and open sharing of metabolomics data.

Microbiome Helper

Microbiome Helper is a repository of bioinformatic scripts, SOPs, and tutorials for analyzing microbiome data, developed and maintained by the Langille lab at Dalhousie University.

Articles & Publications

Contact us if you don’t have access to these publications.

Bishop et al. 2022. Moving beyond descriptive studies: harnessing metabolomics to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning host-microbiome phenotypes. Mucosal Immunology.

Schober et al. 2018. nmrML: A Community Supported Open Data Standard for the Description, Storage, and Exchange of NMR Data. Anal Chem. 90(1): 649-656.

Lu et al. 2017. Metabolite Measurement: Pitfalls to Avoid and Practices to Follow. Annu Rev Biochem. 86: 277-304.

Herbst-Kralovetz et al. 2016. New Systems for Studying Intercellular Interactions in Bacterial Vaginosis. J Infect Dis. 214(S1): S6-S13.

Lewis et al. 2012. Novel NMR and MS Approaches to Metabolomics. In: Fan, Lane, & Higashi (eds) The Handbook of Metabolomics. Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology. 199-230.

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