LMU-DCOM Announces Metabolomics Program

Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) has announced it is establishing a metabolomics unit.

Metabolomics is the scientific study of specific biological processes and the chemical markers that are left behind during these processes.

The metabolomics unit at LMU-DCOM utilizes gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for metabolomics and lipidomics studies of human body fluids, cells, biopsy tissues and autopsy tissues.

The research facility is building a clinical metabolomics database for a number of diseases with an initial focus in two major areas.

The first will evaluate chemical markers pre-and post-osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) of chronic low back pain.

The second will evaluate chemical markers in diseases of aging with a focus on Alzheimer's disease and various cancers.

The metabolomics unit at LMU-DCOM is directed by Dr. Paul Wood, professor of pharmacology.

The first publication from the unit, "In vitro and in vivo plasmalogen replacement evaluations in rhizomelic chrondrodysplasia punctata and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease using PPI-1011, an ether lipid plasmalogen precursor," appeared in the October 18, 2011, issue of "Lipids in Health and Disease."

The metabolomics unit at LMU-DCOM hopes to collaborate with clinical groups interested in the utility of metabolomics in medicine.

Metabolomics must be performed on diverse patient populations and utilize large patient numbers to generate useful datasets.

All data will be supplied to participating physicians and all publications would be co-authored.