Promoting Innovative Research with Partners Involved in Metabolomics Research in China

Laboratory for Innovative Omics Research, Established by Shimadzu (China) Co., Ltd. in Collaboration with the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Shimadzu is pursuing collaboration with research institutions throughout the world, aiming to solve the societal challenges. Here, we describe initiatives related to metabolomics in China by the Shimadzu Group.

Metabolomics

Omics, the comprehensive study of molecules within living organisms, is a field of research that has become a focus of attention in recent years. Metabolomics, one type of omics, is a research field that performs comprehensive data acquisition and analysis of metabolites, primarily low molecular weight compounds such as amino acids, organic acids, and fatty acids mainly within the body, including solids, tissues, and fluids. Metabolomics is widely utilized in research in the diagnosis of diseases and drug discovery, as well as in other specialty fields such as food products.

Metabolomics Related Initiatives by the Shimadzu Group

In China, Shimadzu established the Shimadzu China Mass Spectrometry Center in Beijing in 2015 to engage in application development with KOL. In 2019, the Shimadzu China Innovation Center was established as a new research and development organization, incorporating the Shimadzu China Mass Spectrometry Center. It strengthened customer and market development and conducted innovative joint research and development.

Shimadzu China Innovation Center

Laboratory for Innovative Omics Research

On October 12, 2021, Shimadzu (China) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter SSL), a member of the Shimadzu Group, established the Laboratory for Innovative Omics Research in collaboration with the Dailan Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The objective is to promote innovative research in the field of metabolomics, and to develop and popularize related technologies. The research group under Guowang Xu, a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is one of the first teams in the world to focus their research on the metabolomics field and is now spearheading research in related fields.

In metabolomics research, both gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) are required depending on the characteristics of the sample to collectively and comprehensively measure the metabolites contained in the sample. The new Laboratory aims to combine Shimadzu’s high-level mass spectrometry technology and high-quality instruments and services with the unparalleled technology at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, thereby creating innovations collaboratively, and applying these to applications in the clinical, environmental, and food products fields.

Introduction Video to the Laboratory for Innovative Omics Research (in Chinese)

Convening of a Metabolomics Related Seminar in China by SSL

On June 28, 2023, SSL convened a seminar related to New Comprehensive and Spatially Resolved Metabolomics Technology, in collaboration with the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was held for describing the state of progress and latest results related to metabolomics, to seek out cutting-edge analytical methods in metabolomics.

On the day, more than 130 researchers from within China participated, with lectures presented by Guowang Xu (a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences) and by experts in a variety of fields. In the beginning, Xu welcomed metabolomics researchers from various regions in China. Xiaodong Li, the General Manager of the Shimadzu China Innovation Center, noted that he looked forward to even more fruitful metabolomics research.

Guowang Xu (Researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Xiaodong Li (General Manager, Shimadzu China Innovation Center)

In the subsequent briefing, Xu outlined the development of metabolomics research in recent years, and the process of collaboration with SSL, as well as the latest research results under the heading “Aiming for Comprehensive Metabolome Analysis.”

In addition, the following presentations were given.

The seminar participants visited the Laboratory for Innovative Omics Research

At the end of the seminar, Yanhong Hou, Training Manager in the Marketing Department at SSL, expressed his gratitude to the participants, and ended by noting that he was pleased to see an increase in opportunities for communication between all the specialists in each field.

Through the Laboratory for Innovative Omics Research, SSL and the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences aim to continue to conduct even more innovative research in the field of metabolomics, collaborating continuously in the fields of research and human resource development.