This course will provide an introduction to metabolomics through lectures and hands-on sessions, using publicly available data, software, and tools. Participants will become familiar with standardised workflows as well as with the current state of experimental design, data acquisition (LC-MS, MS imaging), processing, and modelling. In addition, they will learn about community standards and sharing in metabolomics, particularly through the use of EMBL-EBI’s MetaboLights repository and Galaxy infrastructure. Participants will learn through hands-on tutorials to use tools available for data analysis and data submission. Additionally, case studies will be discussed to show how to employ the week’s learning.

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. The course 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.

Basic knowledge of programming languages can be an advantage (e.g. you understand the basic command line functioning, you can navigate Galaxy tutorials). We recommend these free resources or other similar ones:

• The Unix Shell: https://swcarpentry.github.io/shell-novice/
• A Short Introduction to Galaxy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRdlOcVgjRY 

What will I learn?

Learning outcomes

After the course you should be able to:

• Perform basic data acquisition, processing, and modelling in metabolomics 
• Estimate what factors contribute to designing a successful metabolomics study
• Describe the issues of data standards and sharing in metabolomics
• Access and use public metabolomics resources 
• Cite 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
• Public metabolomics resources: MetaboLights, Galaxy 
• Open source metabolomics tools made available through customisable workflows
• Case study based on a published/public example

Please read our page on application support 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.
• 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
  • data availability
• Upload one letter of support from your supervisor or a senior colleague detailing reasons why you should be selected for the course.

Please submit all documents during the application process by midnight on 2nd February 2025. Items marked * in the application are mandatory. Incomplete registrations will not be processed. 

All applicants will be informed of the status of their application (successful, waiting list, unsuccessful) by Monday 17th February 2025. If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Juanita Riveros. 

Posters

All participants are expected to present a poster and successful applicants will be asked to submit their poster upon registration. We expect the posters to act as a talking point between you, other participants, and the trainers on the course. 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.

Registration fees

The registration fee includes: 

• Catering as detailed on the course programme
• Accommodation for 3 nights (20, 21, and 22, May 2025) at Holiday Inn Express. 
• Bespoke course handbook with links to all course materials
• Use of a computer in the EMBL-EBI training suite throughout the course
• Secure virtual machines for practical sessions listed in the programme
• Shuttle bus on the final course day to Cambridge train station 

Financial assistance

Financial assistance is available for a limited number of participants on this course.

Registration fee waivers

We are able to offer a limited number of registration fee waivers for this course. If you receive a waiver, your registration fee will be reimbursed after you have completed the course.

You will need to apply for the fee waiver at the same time as submitting your application for the course, explaining why you require the waiver and how attending this course will benefit your career.

You will be informed about whether you have received the waiver at the same time as you hear about the application outcome for the course. 

Travel grants

We are able to offer travel grants of up to a maximum of £500 for participants to travel to the course. This will cover the cost of travel to the site where the course is being held and can be used for airfare, train, bus, taxi, or visa costs.

Travel grants are applied for at the same time that you apply for the course. You will be informed about the travel grant, including the amount that you have been awarded, at the same time as the outcome of your course application. 

You will need to pay for the upfront costs of your travel. We will then send you a reimbursement form on your completion of the course. The form must be signed and submitted along with supporting receipts within one month of completion of travel. 

The organisers may reduce the amount offered for the travel grant to accommodate more participants. 

Terms and conditions of fee waivers/ travel grants 

The scientific organisers will select the recipients of financial assistance during the course application selection process. Selection for financial support is based on scientific merit, your current work study or location, the reasons for needing financial support and the impact this event will have on your career. Priority will be given to applications from low and middle income countries.

Visas

Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status.

Eligible non-Europeans can now apply for an ETA and will need an ETA to travel from 8 January 2025.

Eligible Europeans can apply from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel from 2 April 2025.

An ETA is a digital permission to travel – it is not a visa and does not permit entry into the UK – it authorises an individual to travel to the UK.

Gulf Cooperation Council visitors already need an ETA to travel to the UK.

Applying for an ETA is quick and simple. Visitors should apply in advance and find out when to do so on GOV.UK

Course materials 

The materials for the 2024 course are available for you to browse. These provide a snapshot of the content that will be covered in the 2025 course.