Mass Spectrometry Core

Director

Mass Spectometry Core

Jennifer Rood, PhD


Mission

The mission of this core is to provide scientific expertise and resources for the administration and analysis of stable  isotopes. 

About this Core

The Mass Spectrometry Core is divided into two sections: Energy Expenditure/Body Composition and Metabolism.

Energy Expenditure/Body Composition 

This section focuses on the measurement of energy expenditure using the doubly labeled water technique.  Additionally, measurements of total body water are performed using either deuterium or oxygen 18. With isotope ratio mass spectrometers, we can accurately and precisely measure the amount of heavy isotopes, such as 18O and deuterium, in relation to the common isotopes, 16O and 1H, for the measurement of energy expenditure in studies of obesity. The instruments are also used to measure 18O and deuterium as measures of total body water and are used for analysis of 13C in breath samples as a marker of gastric motility.

 

 

 

Metabolism 

This section focuses on the measurement of stable isotopes that are used to examine lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. This section uses gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers, for measurement of any stable-isotope-labeled (e.g. 2H, 15N, 13C) organic compound. This equipment is used to examine cholesterol, fatty acids, and glycerol metabolism in studies of cardiovascular disease. Glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids are also measured in studies of obesity and diabetes.