HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform

Advanced LC-MS Technology

Chemical isotope labeling LC-MS with 1-1 internal standards delivers ultra-sensitive and highly accurate quantification beyond conventional methods.

Broad Metabolome Coverage

Enhanced detection sensitivity enables comprehensive metabolome profiling for deeper biological insights.

High-Accuracy & Reproducibility

Robust, validated workflows provide consistent, publication-ready quantitative data.

Versatile Sample Compatibility

Compatible with diverse sample types including serum/plasma, tissues, cells, urine, saliva, feces, microbes, plant, culture medium, and other biofluids.

WHAT IS HP-CIL METABOLOMICS PLATFORM?

The HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform is a high-performance, isotope-labeling–based LC–MS workflow designed to deliver comprehensive metabolome coverage with high sensitivity and robust quantification. Built on our proprietary Chemical Isotope Labeling (CIL) technology, the platform enables accurate, reproducible measurement of metabolites across diverse biological samples using one-to-one internal standards.

HP-CIL achieves near-complete metabolome profiling by targeting up to four major chemical submetabolomes—amine/phenol, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl. By combining data from these channels, the platform captures approximately 86–96% of known metabolite chemical space, depending on the reference database. This makes HP-CIL particularly well suited for researchers seeking deep metabolome coverage, improved quantitative confidence, and consistent comparability across large or multi-cohort studies.

HP-CIL VS Untargeted LC-MS?

Untargeted LC–MS is valuable for exploratory metabolomics, but it often has limitations in metabolome coverage, quantitative reliability, and reproducibility across large or multi-batch studies. Variability arising from matrix effects, ion suppression, and instrument drift can complicate confident cross-sample comparisons.

HP-CIL addresses these challenges by chemically labeling metabolites prior to analysis, enabling one-to-one isotopic internal standards for each detected compound.  By targeting metabolites based on chemical class rather than ionization efficiency alone, HP-CIL achieves broader and more consistent metabolome coverage than untargeted workflows. This makes HP-CIL well suited for studies where quantitative confidence, comparability, and scalable study design are critical.

Discover Our Tiers Options

Basic HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform

Our Basic HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform is a single-channel analysis targeting either the amine/phenol or carboxyl submetabolome. It is ideal for focused studies, pilot experiments, or hypothesis-driven profiling of specific metabolite classes, and is priced at $95 per sample.

 

Elevated HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform

Our Elevated HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform provides dual-channel analysis covering amine/phenol and carboxyl submetabolomes. It is suited for studies requiring broader metabolome coverage and stronger quantitative insight, and is priced at $167 per sample.

Comprehensive HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform

Our Comprehensive HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform offers full four-channel coverage across amine/phenol, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl submetabolomes. It is designed for projects requiring near-complete metabolome coverage and maximum analytical depth, and is priced at $316 per sample.

Why HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform?

EVALUATED PARAMETERS

CONVENTIONAL  APPROACH

OUR APPROACH

Detection Sensitivity

 Low (many metabolites cannot be detected) High (sensitivity increases 10-1000 folds)

Quantification Level

Semi-quantitative Quantitative

Available Internal Standards

 A few Unique internal stanard for each metabolite

Reproducibility

 CV > 20% for more than 70% of metabolites CV < 10% for more than 90% of metabolites

Batch Effect

 Obvious/unavoidable Able to correct batch effect

Data Interpretation Software

 Common public platform Dedicated software 

Identification Database

 Limited database Three-tiered ID databases

Clinical Translation Ability

Weak and unstable

 Strong and robust

         Further scientific information is available. 

APPLICATIONS

Regardless of research focus or biological system, the HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform supports a wide range of applications by enabling access to over 1,000 metabolic pathways across diverse domains. Its broad metabolome coverage and robust quantification make it adaptable to both discovery-driven and hypothesis-led studies.

HP-CIL is widely applied in neuroscience, microbiology, plant and agricultural sciences, biomedical research, and pharmaceutical development, supporting investigations from basic biology to translational and clinical research. This flexibility allows researchers to explore complex metabolic networks, compare pathways across conditions, and generate biologically meaningful insights with confidence.

Donec ullamcorper libero nisl, nec blandit dolor tempus feugiat. Aenean neque felis, fringilla nec placerat eget, sollicitudin a sapien. Cras ut auctor elit.

Neuroscience

Characterize metabolic pathways involved in brain function, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and neurological disorders with high quantitative confidence.

Microbiology & Microbiome Research

Profile microbial metabolism, host–microbe interactions, and pathway-level changes across complex biological matrices.

Plant and Agricultural Sciences

Investigate plant metabolism, stress responses, crop performance, and nutrient pathways to support agricultural and environmental research.

Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research

Support disease biology studies, biomarker discovery, drug development, mechanism-of-action analysis, and translational research across preclinical and clinical models.

OUR WORKFLOW

Our process

Sample Reception

We start by receiving your raw samples, which can include a variety of biological materials such as unprocessed urine, plasma, serum, cell pellets, tissue, plant etc

Sample Aliquoting

Each sample is carefully aliquoted, depending on the number of submetabolomes (channels) required and whether a lipidome profiling analysis is also interested.

Sample Analysis

Basic HP-CIL Metabolomics Platform (one channel) is conducted.

Reporting and Consultation

Following the analysis, we will provide a detailed report of the findings and engage in a consultation to discuss the results and their implications.

What’s Included

Our Seemless End-End Process

We handle sample preparation, sample extraction, sample labeling, LC-MS analysis, data analysis, metabolite identification, and statistical analysis (volcano plots, pca, pls-da, heatmaps, etc.).

Your Choice

If you decide to pursue further analysis for a more comprehensive coverage, such as Elevated or Comprehensive Metabolomics Analysis and/or lipidome analysis, we seamlessly continue the process. The total cost will be determined based on the number of channels analyzed and the inclusion of lipidome analysis. Should you choose not to proceed with additional analysis, only the cost of the one channel analysis will be charged.

SAMPLE REQUIREMENT

KINDLY NOTE

  • The sample amount in each cell is shown as “minimum amount / preferred amount.”
  • Biofluids or tissues requiring special handling (e.g., dialysates, exosomes, needle biopsies) should be discussed with TMIC.
  • Always measure or weigh samples during collection and send this information.

 

PUBLICATIONS

FAQ

What exactly is HP-CIL metabolomics?

HP-CIL stands for High-Performance Chemical Isotope Labeling. It is an LC-MS method that tags metabolites with special isotope labels so the instrument can detect them more clearly.

How is this different from normal untargeted metabolomics?

Regular untargeted metabolomics measures many metabolites at once, but sensitivity and quantification can vary.
HP-CIL improves this by:

  • Using one-to-one internal standards for every labeled metabolite

  • Reducing matrix effects and variability

  • Giving more confident quantification

So you get broader, cleaner, and more reliable data.

How long does the analysis take?

Typical turnaround time is 3–6 weeks, depending on sample number, complexity, and whether pathway analysis is requested.

What if I only have a very small amount of sample? Can you still run metabolomics?

Yes, we can still analyze your samples. If you only have a very limited volume or mass, our SHARP platform is designed exactly for that. SHARP uses the same chemical isotope labeling technology as HP-CIL but is optimized for:

  • Ultra-small sample volumes

  • Low-input tissues or rare samples

  • High-sensitivity detection even from minimal material

So even if you can only provide a few microliters or a tiny tissue amount, we can still generate high-quality metabolomics data.

ANALYZED SAMPLES

SERVICE PROJECTS

LC-MS INSTRUMENTS

CLIENTS

SPEAK TO AN EXPERT

Our experts will help you identify the right metabolomics platform that fit your study design, sample type, and discovery goals. In your free consultation, we’ll discuss your research objectives, outline tailored analytical strategies, and show how our precision LC–MS solutions can accelerate your path from data to discovery.

BOOK A MEETING

Funding Agencies and Partners