Collaborative Metabolome Core

The Collaborative Metabolome Core (CMC) at Indiana University School of Medicine is a virtual metabolomics core designed to make advanced metabolomics accessible, cost-effective and sustainable for IU investigators.

Unlike traditional in-house cores that require heavy infrastructure investment, the CMC operates through a hybrid model:

  • Strategic partnerships with leading external vendors such as Metabolon, University of Michigan Metabolomics Core and Corewell Health Research Institute
  • Centralized IU oversight to ensure data integrity, streamlined administration and cost efficiency.
  • Integrated support for study design, sample preparation, vendor selection, data analysis and bioinformatics.

By combining institutional guidance with vendor expertise, the CMC provides end-to-end support that reduces administrative burden, accelerates research timelines and ensures high-quality, reproducible data.

Request Service

Contact Padma Portonovo, PhD, MBA, to request services from the Collaborative Metabolome Core.

Mission

To advance biomedical discovery by delivering state-of-the-art metabolomics services that are accessible, affordable and seamlessly integrated with IU’s broader research infrastructure.

Value to Investigators

  • Expert consultation from IU faculty and staff
  • Negotiated pricing that aligns with grant budgets
  • Simplified workflows via iLab for payment and project tracking
  • Secure centralized data storage and bioinformatics integration
  • Ability to combine metabolomics with genomics, proteomics and other omics for systems-level insights

The CMC represents a scalable, future-ready model for shared research resources — strengthening individual projects while enhancing IU’s position as a leader in translational and precision medicine.

Service Workflow

The CMC offers investigators a streamlined, end-to-end process:

  1. Pre-consultation — Guidance on study design and protocol optimization
  2. Vendor selection — Matching projects to the most suitable provider
  3. Coordination and processing — Facilitating communication, overseeing prep, validating protocols
  4. Payment and data delivery — iLab integration for simplified billing, secure institutional repositories for data storage, bioinformatics support available

Core Capabilities

The CMC is more than a pass-through — it is a comprehensive support system:

  • Scientific guidance: Study design, sample prep, data analysis
  • Cost efficiency: Bulk pricing, grant-aligned budgets
  • Administrative simplicity: One-stop payment and tracking via iLab
  • Data quality: Core-validated QC, standardized protocols, secure storage
  • Integration: Ability to combine with genomics, proteomics & other omics

By ensuring integrity, reproducibility and cost-effectiveness, the CMC strengthens both individual projects and the wider IU research community.