This course will provide an introduction to metabolomics using publicly available data, software and tools. Participants will become familiar with the current state of experimental design, data acquisition (LC-MS, GC-MS, MS imaging), processing and modelling as well as community standards and sharing in metabolomics, particularly through using the EMBL-EBI’s MetaboLights repository and Galaxy infrastructure. There will be a practical component, where participants will learn through hands-on tutorials to use tools available for data analysis and data submission. The course will be completed with an interactive session which will build on the week’s learning to discuss how to employ a metabolomics workflow with a case study.

In-person course

We plan to deliver this course in an in-person manner onsite at our training suite at EMBL-EBI, Hinxton.  Please be aware that we are continually evaluating the ongoing pandemic situation and, as such, may need to change the format of courses at short notice. Your safety is paramount to us; you can read our COVID guidance policy for more information. All information is correct at time of publishing.

Who is this course for?

This course is aimed at researchers who are new to the field of metabolomics and wish to learn about the process of conducting a metabolomics study. Attendees will gain an understanding of a standardised workflow, from experimental design to data acquisition and analysis, and will benefit those who are planning to integrate metabolomics into their work, either moving into the field or as an investigator from other omics. We will primarily focus on a basic introduction to metabolomics with worked examples using a predesigned LC-MS analysis workflow. The course assumes little prior knowledge of using bioinformatics tools.

What will I learn?

Learning outcomes

After this course you should be able to:

• Discuss basic data acquisition, processing and modelling in metabolomics, and factors that contribute to designing a successful metabolomics study
• Discuss the issues of data standards and sharing in metabolomics
• Access and use public metabolomics resources 
• Be familiar with the principles of creating a standardised workflow to perform basic metabolomics analysis

Course content

During this course you will learn about:

• Basic metabolomics experimental design, acquisition and analysis
• Case study based on a published/public example
• Public metabolomics resources: MetaboLights, Galaxy 
• Open source metabolomics tools made available through customisable workflows.

Trainers

Please read our page on application advice before starting your application. In order to be considered for a place on this course, you must do the following:

• Complete the online application form providing answers as directed
• Ensure you add relevant information to the 'submission details' section where you are asked to provide information on your: 
  • pre-requisite skills and knowledge
  • current work and course expectations 
  • current research 
• Upload a letter of support from your supervisor or a senior colleague detailing reasons why you should be selected for the course

Please complete all sections and upload your letter of support by Monday 28 February 2022. We will not consider incomplete applications. 

All applicants will be informed of the status of their application (successful, waiting list, unsuccessful) by Monday 14 March 2022. If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Meredith Willmott.

All participants are expected to present a poster that will be displayed during the course outside the training room. If you are successful you will be asked to send a poster in PDF format to Meredith Willmott which will be printed and displayed.  

All posters should:

• be A2 in size - 420mm x 594 mm 
• be in a portrait orientation
• include your photograph and contact information

We cannot display posters of a different size or orientation.

We expect the posters to act as a talking point between you, other participants, and the trainers on the course. The posters will be displayed throughout the week so people can view them during breaks and lunch. They should give the reader an idea of the work you are engaged in, what you are planning to do next, and anything of interest that might be useful for sharing with the gathered participants.

The registration fee includes:

• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and refreshment breaks for the course days)
• Accommodation for three nights
• Course materials
• Use of a computer in the EMBL-EBI training room throughout the course