The Keasling lab is collaborating with the Arkin lab to set-up an online database that will yield information (i.e. unique I.D., common name, empirical formula, exact mass information, metabolite structure, link to metabolic pathways via Metacyc and/or Keggs, etc.) on metabolites found in D. Vulgaris.

The Keasling lab is also exploring a labeling strategy that incorporates fully labeled 13C into control biomass, which after 2-3 inoculations should replace the majority of 12C in the biomass. After mixing with stressed biomass, metabolites labeled with 13C in control biomass can be used as internal standards for unlabeled 12C metabolites from stressed biomass. This enables us to effectively assess changes in stressed versus control biomass since the use of labeled internal standards will cause a reduction in errors due to variations occurring in the analysis and sample handling processing. But more importantly this strategy will improve our ability to quantitate these changes. This work is part of a collaborative effort with the Hazen lab.

The Keasling lab, in collaboration with Bruker Daltonics, has developed a new online sample pre-concentration method for positive mode capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry. This new method allows us to introduce large volumes of sample onto our fused silica capillaries with very little reduction in separation efficiency.

More info at http://vimss.lbl.gov

Read more about the DOE's Genomics:GTL program