SUERC’s Stable Isotope Biochemistry Laboratory specialises in the application of light stable isotopes to investigate human metabolism, nutrition, and environmental health. Combining high-precision isotope ratio mass spectrometry with advanced Orbitrap technology, the group traces nutrient pathways, identifies biochemical responses to environmental exposures, and supports interdisciplinary research at the interface of biology, medicine, and the environment.
Methodology
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.
Techniques
GC-C-IRMS & GC-P-IRMS
compound specific 13C, 2H & 15N in carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and other small molecules
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 lab
to receive and process biological and clinical samples
Prof Douglas Morrison
Professor of Isotope Bioscience
Dr James Weatherill
Research Associate
Mahek Jain
Research Assistant
Eleanor McKay
Stable Isotope Biochemistry Laboratory Manager
