In the past two decades, metabolomics has proved to be a valuable tool with many potential applications in different areas of science. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed, particularly for multicenter studies. These challenges are mainly attributed to various sources of fluctuation and unwanted variations that can be introduced at pre-analytical, analytical, and/or post-analytical steps of any metabolomics experiment. Thus, this study aimed at using Streptomyces lividans TK24 as the model organism in a cross-laboratory experiment in Manchester and Leuven to evaluate the reproducibility of a standard sample preparation method, and determine the optimal sample format (cell extract or quenched biomass) required to preserve the metabolic profile of the cells during cross-lab sample transportation and storage. Principal component analysis (PCA) scores plot of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data from both laboratories displayed clear growth-dependent clustering patterns which was in agreement with the Procrustes analysis findings. In addition, the data generated in Manchester displayed tight clustering of cell pellets (quenched biomass) and metabolite extracts, confirming the stability of both sample formats during the transportation and storage period.

中文翻译：

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Lividans TK24实验室间代谢组学研究的样品制备方法的评估

在过去的二十年中，代谢组学已被证明是一种有价值的工具，在科学的不同领域具有许多潜在的应用。但是，仍然有一些挑战需要解决，特别是对于多中心研究而言。这些挑战主要归因于可以在任何代谢组学实验的分析前，分析和/或分析后步骤中引入的各种波动和不希望有的变化来源。因此，这项研究旨在使用链霉菌在曼彻斯特和鲁汶的跨实验室实验中，TK24作为模型有机体，用于评估标准样品制备方法的可重复性，并确定在交叉过程中保持细胞代谢特征所需的最佳样品形式（细胞提取物或淬灭的生物质） -实验室样品的运输和储存。来自两个实验室的气相色谱-质谱（GC-MS）数据的主成分分析（PCA）评分图均显示了清晰的依赖于增长的聚类模式，这与Procrustes分析结果相符。此外，在曼彻斯特生成的数据显示细胞团块（淬灭的生物质）和代谢物提取物紧密聚集，证实了两种样品格式在运输和储存期间的稳定性。