Stable Isotope Biochemistry

We use stable isotopes to investigate complex biological and environmental processes from cells to humans and beyond to whole landscapes. We measure biologically and chemically driven changes in the natural abundance of isotopes (²H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O) at the molecular (compound-specific) level. We also measure labelled (enriched) substrates, exploiting isotope tracers in our research to probe multiple metabolic processes to provide mechanistic insight into complex biological systems including human health and disease.

Projects

Norse deforestation and woodland sustainability in Iceland.

BRITICE-CHRONO: Constraining rates and style of marine-influenced ice sheet decay.

Constraining rates and style of marine-influenced ice sheet decay

ScotIce: How fast could ice caps collapse?

Average surface air temperatures have been rising everywhere on Earth over the last century and are predicted to continue to rise for at least the next century. One of the clearest indicators of this warming is the shrinking of glaciers and the marked reduction of sea ice in the Arctic, where atmospheric warming is most pronounced. Melting of sea ice does not contribute to sea level rise, but meltwater from land-based glaciers and ice caps ends up in the oceans and is a major contributor to sea level rise.

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Techniques & Technologies

GC-C-IRMS & GC-P-IRMS

Compound specific ¹³C, ²H & ¹⁵N in carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and other small molecules
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GC-MS & LC-MS/MS

¹³C, ²H & ¹⁵N enrichment in biological and environmental samples for human isotope labelling studies of gut function, microbiome activity, obesity and malnutrition

FTIR

D/H ratios in waters, saliva, urine, plasma for studies of body composition and energy expenditure in humans

Biological safety level 2

Biological safety level 2 lab to receive and process biological and clinical samples