Analytical Biochemistry

The Analytical Biochemistry shared resource provides state-of-the-art chemistry services and expertise in mass spectrometry, chromatography, and analytical biochemistry. These three complementary specialties afford a center of expertise for a full range of chemical and biochemical services in support of the peer-reviewed research of Cancer Center investigators.

Video on services provided

Shared Resource Spotlights - Analytical Biochemistry

Analytical Biochemistry Services

The Analytical Biochemistry shared resource offers sensitive and quantitative methods for determining important compounds in human urine, blood, or DNA, including:

Nicotine, cotinine, and their metabolites in human urine, blood, or saliva
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine metabolites in human urine or blood
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites in human urine
Carcinogen-hemoglobin adducts
Carcinogen-DNA adducts

Contact Information

Coordinator:
Sharon Murphy, Ph.D.
612-624-7633
murph062@umn.edu
Fax: 612-626-5135
Office: 2-127 CCRB
Lab: 2-240 CCRB

Chromatography Services

The Analytical Biochemistry shared resource provides advice and assistance in the development of state-of-the-art chromatographic separations. The focus is on methods using gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The chromatography specialist, Steven Carmella, will consult with Cancer Center investigators about method development or application of existing methods to analytical chemistry problems.

The Analytical Biochemistry shared resource has particular expertise in the chromatographic separation and quantitation of metabolites, adducts, and other compounds in biological matrices. Instruments in the facility are available for preliminary methods development studies. These instruments include Waters gradient solvent delivery systems with UV-Vis, fluorescence, and radioactivity detectors.

The chromatography specialist will also assist in solving instrumentation problems which Cancer Center investigators may encounter. The chromatography services function of the Analytical Biochemistry shared resource is a highly efficient and cost-effective solution to separation problems.

Contact Information

Coordinator:
Steven Carmella
612-626-5235
carme001@umn.edu
Fax: 612-626-5135
Office: 2-144 CCRB
Labs: 2-120 CCRB

Weblinks:

Mass Spectrometry Services

FY20 rates will go into effect on 7/1/19. Websites will be updated with the FY20 rates by July 12, 2019. Please contact the shared resource manager or coordinator with questions.

The Analytical Biochemistry shared resource provides a variety of molecular identification, characterization and quantitation capabilities to its users utilizing a variety of mass spectrometers (see below). Both liquid and gas chromatographic separations are provided as are a range of liquid flow rates and ion sources.

The facility provides analytical services including small molecule quantitation and identification, oligonucleotide characterization, and whole and digested protein sample analysis. A variety of quantitative assays of samples derived from complex in vitro and in vivo systems are routinely performed.

The standard operating model for the facility involves extensive training of users in both the use of instrumentation and data analysis using a variety of available software tools. Facility staff maintains and repairs instrumentation and provides guidance in method development and sample preparation as well assistance with troubleshooting of problems related to the users mass spectrometric analysis.

What's New?

The Masonic Cancer Center’s Analytical Biochemistry Shared Resource is the only core facility on campus providing access to a new very powerful analytical tool for basic scientists – the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Fusion™ Tribrid liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system. This instrument combines three mass analyzers in a unique and extremely powerful “Tribrid” architecture that offers unprecedented depth of analysis of complex biological samples. Read more. (PDF)

Request Spectrometry Services

New users should contact facility staff (see below) for consultation regarding desired analytical services. Existing users can request spectrometry services by filling out a Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation Request online. Requests for usage of the Quantiva, Elite, and Fusion instruments will require consultation with Peter Villalta (see below for contact information).

Instrument Schedules and Rates Per Hour

Instrument	FY19 Rates
LC-MS
Triple Quadrupoles (Thermo)
Ultra	$23.43
Discovery #1	$23.43
Discovery #2	$23.43
Vantage #1	$23.43
Vantage #2	$23.43
Vantage #3	$23.43
Quantiva #1	$28.63
Quantiva #2 (CHEAR)	Inquire
Ion Traps
Thermo LTQ XL	$23.43
Agilent MSD SL	$23.43
Orbitraps
Velos	$28.77
Elite	$28.77
Fusion	$52.20
GC-MS
Thermo Quantam GC Triple Quadrupole	$23.43
HP 5973 Single Quadrupole	$5.91
HPLC
Agilent 1100 Analytical Flow	Inquire
Agilent 1100 Capillary Flow	Inquire

Building Access

We are located in a secure building. Users must fill out building access forms which can be found on the Research Building Management Services website.

Contact Information

Coordinator:

Peter Villalta, Ph.D.
612-626-8165
villa001@umn.edu

Lab Manager:

Xun Ming
612-626-9044
mingx006@umn.edu
Office: 2-210C CCRB

Yingchun Zhao, Ph.D.
612-624-9787
zhao0683@umn.edu
Office 2-210C

Makenzie Pillsbury
612-624-9787
pills015@umn.edu
Office 2-210C

Lab address:

Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building (click for map)
Room 2-210H
2231 6th St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Staff

Director
Peter Villalta, PhD
612-626-8165
villa001@umn.edu
Fax: 612-626-5135
Office: 2-143 CCRB
Lab: 2-210H CCRB

Analytical Biochemistry services coordinator
Sharon Murphy, PhD
612-624-7633
murph062@umn.edu
Fax: 612-626-5135
Lab: 2-240 CCRB
Office: 2-127 CCRB

Chromatography services coordinator
Steven Carmella
612-626-5235
carme001@umn.edu
Fax: 612-626-5135
Office: 2-144 CCRB
Lab: 2-210 CCRB

Bioinformatics coordinator
Scott Walmsley, PhD
612-626-0401
swalmsle@umn.edu
Fax: 612-626-5135
Office: 2-163 CCRB