- Message from MANA President, Tom Metz
- MANA Fall Symposium
- 4th Annual MANA Conference Recap
- News & Updates from MANA Interest Groups
- Key Dates & Resources
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Message from MANA President, Tom Metz | | |
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The 4th Annual MANA Conference was held September 16-18, 2022 on the campus of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and was a great success! It was so nice to see our colleagues again in “three dimensions” for the first time in three years. Just the second in-person MANA conference, 250 early career members, established investigators, and corporate members attended a program featuring instructional workshops, interactive forums, plenary, contributed and lightning talks, corporate member breakfast and lunch seminars, poster sessions, and award lectures. Many thanks to Professor David Wishart and the Local Organizing Committee! Importantly, 67% of attendees were early career members, and 60% of registrants were participating in their first MANA conference, highlighting the future leaders in metabolomics and the still-growing nature of the association. We very much would like to know your impressions of the conference. Please complete the survey here by October 21 to let us know how future conferences can be improved for all members. Importantly, we want to hear from both those who attended the conference and those who chose not to or were unable to attend. Speaking of future conferences, we are excited to announce that MANA 2023 will take place at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. We look forward to welcoming you there! | |
Register for the upcoming online MANA Fall Symposium titled, "We are what we eat - Metabolomics leading the way for Nutrition Research" on Friday, Oct.14, 2022, from 9 am - 2:30 pm PT. Hosted by the UC Davis West Coast Metabolomics Center. | |
4th Annual MANA Conference Recap | |
MANA 2022 Instructional Workshops | |
- Metaboanalyst
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The interactive workshop on MetaboAnalyst was given by Dr. Jianguo (Jeff) Xia with the assistance of Dr. Jessica Ewald, both from McGill University. The workshop was divided into five sections, including 1) general concepts and workflows in omics data analysis; 2) LC-MS spectra processing; 3) global metabolomics data interpretation; 4) metabolomics data processing, and 5) statistical analysis. Each section was followed by a live demo and questioning from the audience. This 2-hour workshop was attended by ~70 audience with enthusiastic discussion and feedback on metabolomics data analysis. Materials for the interactive workshop are available at: https://omicsforum.ca/t/mana-2022-metaboanalyst-workshop/883
- Metabolomics Workbench and the National Metabolomics Data Repository
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A workshop covering the Metabolomics Workbench and the National Metabolomics Data Repository (NMDR) was presented at the 4th Annual MANA Conference by Dr. Eoin Fahy from the University of California San Diego. An overview of the design and infrastructure of this public repository for metabolomics metadata and experimental data was described. The online submission system for entering MS and NMR experimental data was discussed in detail. The RefMet standardized nomenclature for metabolite species was presented with examples of how it facilitates comparative analysis within and across studies. The integrated suite of searching and analysis tools on the Metabolomics Workbench was discussed using examples of NMDR studies. The workshop concluded with a Q&A session covering these topics. A PDF version of the interactive forum is available at: https://www.metabolomicsworkbench.org/data/mana.pdf
- National Microbiome Data Collaborative: Metabolomics Data Processing Workflows and Metadata Standards
- At the 4th Annual MANA Conference, Dr. Yuri Corilo, Montana Smith (Pacific Northwest National Lab), and Dr. Chris Mungall (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab) organized a “National Microbiome Data Collaborative: Metabolomics Data Processing” Workshop. The goal of this workshop was to provide attendees with an understanding of what metadata is and how to standardize it. The workshop covered topics associated with sample metadata standardization and collection for environmental samples, as well as metadata standards for metabolomics and how to run NMDC standardized data analysis workflows. Dr. Chris Mungall and Montana Smith presented ontologies and standardized methods of metadata collection and sample annotation. This provided attendees with information, examples, and resources that could improve their data management plans. This was followed by a step-by-step walkthrough of how to access and run the GC-MS metabolomics annotation workflow. This workshop had 30~40 attendees.
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MANA 2022 Interactive Forums | |
- Precision Medicine Discipline
- The MANA Precision Medicine Working Group organized a workshop to review the progress and steps needed to enable Precision Heath and Precision Medicine approaches. Rima Kaddurah-Daouk highlighted key bottlenecks we need to overcome as a community to be included in large precision medicine initiatives. She highlighted a White paper published in 2016 and the need for an update on progress made since then. Dr. Oliver Fiehn and Lloyd Sumner addressed the minimal standard initiative of 2007 its impact and the need for follow-up initiatives. David Wishart and Heino Hayman provided progress on home blood collection for metabolomics and the use of dry blood spot technologies. Annie Evans provided insights on the key factors affecting the stability of metabolites collected this way. Stephen Barnes reviewed recommendations of a 2018 white paper on optimal methods for the collection and storage of biofluids and tissues and relevance for precision medicine initiatives. Further discussions addressed standard operating protocols in sample collection, expanding sample collection beyond blood, the importance of urine, and having reference materials. Issues related to fecal metabolomics were to be followed up in partnership with other task groups.
- NIST Development of a Fecal Metabolite Calibrant
- On September 17th, Dr. Sandra Da Silva, and Dr. Tracey Schock from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) hosted an interactive forum at the 4th Annual Metabolomics Association of North America (MANA 2022) titled” NIST Development of a fecal metabolite calibrant”. The primary goal was to share the progress of this effort, gain attendees' input on the suitability of this new reference material, and identify challenges requiring consideration to produce a fit-for-purpose standard aimed to improve the measurement process and increase confidence in gut metabolomics results. Fifty-five attendees participated in live polling that generated a continuous stream of fruitful discussions. Additionally, attendee input was captured by an online survey. Many thanks for the productive interactive session!
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MANA Interest Group Updates | |
WomiX: Womxn in Metabolomics | | |
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WomiX is committed to the advancement of Womxn in Metabolomics. Using “womxn” with an “x” in order to explicitly welcome trans women, transfeminine, genderfluid, and nonbinary participants. All MANA members and allies are welcome to our community! | |
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WomiX Mentorship Award Lecture
If we learned one thing from Prof. Susan Murch it's that mentorship is vital to shaping young scientists. She ended her inspirational lecture with the following practical advice:
- Balancing work and life is worth the effort.
- Intention, organization & elegant design make the impossible into the possible.
- Sometimes the pipeline bursts and it’s OK (i.e., the pipeline is in reference to the "leaky pipeline" which is a metaphor that describes the way in which women become underrepresented minorities in the STEM fields).
- Know when to give up and go home.
- Find a way out of the box.
- Celebrate your successes!
2023 WomiX Mentorship Award – Application Open! Deadline Dec. 9, 2022!
We are seeking nominations for the 2023 WomiX Mentorship Award. This award will honor a womxn in metabolomics that has demonstrated strong mentorship and leadership skills and has made a large impact on other researchers in their field. Submit your application here.
WomiX is still growing! After MANA2022 our membership has increased by 30%.
Join here to get updates about WomiX.
WomiX & SCIEX Partnership @ MANA2022!
It's official! Our partnership with SCIEX was announced at MANA 2022. SCIEX is committed to fostering a community that shares knowledge, drives scientific output, and supports diversity. Thank you for your support!
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MANA Early Career Members | | |
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ECM (Early Career Members) strives to empower the next generation of scientists in the field of metabolomics in North America by supporting opportunities for mentorship, networking, training, and career development opportunities. | |
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ECM at #MANA2022
- ECM Networking Event was a blast with networking, fun, & games! Our ECM Trivia Champions were team Xomics! Tied in 2nd place were The Ionizers and The MassHoles. In 3rd place were The Trivia Champions.
- Congratulations to our 2022 ECM Travel Grant Recipients (see below)!
- Congratulations to our 2 ECM Childcare Grant Recipients!
- Professional headshots sponsored by ECM - were a success! Many people got a chance to revamp their profile picture for LinkedIn, Zoom, etc.
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If you’re not already part of the email list, please send us an email with your name, the year of the last degree, and what email address you would like to use. We can be reached at earlycareer@metabolomicsna.org.
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Frontiers in NMR Metabolomics
Workshop Recap
At the 4th Annual MANA Conference, Dr. Leo L. Cheng (Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School), together with the MANA-NMR Interest Group, organized a “Frontiers in NMR Metabolomics” Workshop. The workshop covered topics associated with NMR metabolomics, including an Overview by Dr. Candace C. Fleischer (Emory University), and a presentation of its application in medicine by Dr. Matthew E. Merritt (University of Florida). Introductions of current approaches to the integration of NMR and MS metabolomics data by Thomas M. O’Connell (Indiana University), of QA/QC issues by Robert Powers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and data analyses and presentations by Dr. Nathaniel D. Mercaldo (Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School). About 30~40 attendees joined the workshop.
Urgent Issues in NMR
Interactive Forum Recap
The NMR Interest Group hosted an interactive forum entitled “Urgent Issues in NMR” at the MANA 2022 conference. A variety of topics were discussed including the future of NMR metabolomics and how to entice the next generation of NMR spectroscopists. Some conscience opinions included the challenges faced by a very competitive industrial market, the need to increase student salaries, and the importance of exposing young scientists to the value of NMR early in their careers. Funding is always a challenge, but one means to address this issue that was discussed is the need for individual investigators to advocate for NMR metabolomics whenever possible in study sections, and with program officers. The ongoing plans for an ultra-high field NMR network in the US along with vendor issues, challenges with timely repairs, and the emergence of serious “right to repair” issues were also discussed.
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MANA Educational Resources Committee | |
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How do we best teach metabolomics?
Workshop Recap
Senior members of the metabolomics community defined as those with more than 10 years of teaching experience and trainees joined forces for this workshop to discuss ideas on how to best teach metabolomics. The workshop opened with a Q & A with our panelists followed by a group exercise on how to develop courses on different topics. Our panelists, Drs. Maryam Goudarzi, Oliver Fiehn, Steven Barnes, and Lloyd Sumner provided pro-tips for metabolomic courses in both professional and academic settings. The take-home messages from this workshop were the following 1) When engaging with trainees, do not lose sight of the WHY 2) Hands-on practical exercise is important, but it’s not scalable 3) Online teaching has many benefits, but hands-on group exercises always work best in person 4) The multidisciplinary aspect of metabolomics require multiple guest/external lecturers. The workshop was organized by the MANA Educational Resources Committee (Drs. Arpana Vaniya (UC Davis WCMC), Maryam Goudarzi (SCIEX), Charmion Cruickshank-Quinn (Agilent), Mark Styczynski (Georgia Tech), and Dan Jones (Michigan State Uni.)), and Dr. Susan Murch (UBC). About 20 attendees joined the workshop.
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The goal of SODA is to provide a community-driven resource of actively maintained software, test datasets used for software benchmarking, and results produced by software. | |
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SODA
Interactive Forum Recap
MANA SODA hosted its 4th interactive forum at the Annual MANA Conference to explore the needs for and uses of benchmarking data to help evaluate various methods and software programs.
We first introduced SODA and its goal of developing a community-driven effort that provides information on current software, datasets, and data analysis results. We then conducted a live survey to query participants on their needs for open source software and standardized public benchmarking datasets. Dr. Xiuxia Du (the University of North Carolina at Charlotte) then presented her efforts in generating a standardized benchmarking sample set and data to evenly compare data processing methods. Materials for the interactive forum are available at: https://sites.google.com/metabolomicsna.org/soda/meetings/mana-soda-2022
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MANA 2022 Awards Highlight | |
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MANA prides itself on its ability to support its members and Early Career Members by providing several different awards and grants. This year we awarded 37 different awards and grants. Congratulations to all the MANA 2022 awardees!
2022 MANA Early Career Rising Star Award
- Tao Huan | Asst. Prof at UBC
- Given for his work in the development of analytical and bioinformatics tools for improving data acquisition and analysis of LC-MS-based metabolomics.
2022 Mark P. Styczynski Early Career Award in Computational Metabolomics
- Sadjad Fakouri-Baygi | Postdoc at Mt. Sinai
- Given for his work in the design, development, and support of new algorithms for processing untargeted HRMS data in the metabolomics and exposomics field.
2022 Emerging Leader in Metabolomics Service Cores
- Armando A. Magaña | Metabolomics Project Manager, Life Sciences Centre UBC
- Given for his work in advancing metabolomics science through leadership in Service Cores, specifically in the design and initiation of a new Core and with the continued support of trainees and collaborators.
2022 WomiX Mentorship Award
- Prof. Susan Murch | UBC
- Given for her demonstration of strong mentorship and leadership skills.
2022 ECM Travel Grant was awarded to 15 ECM recipients!
2022 ECM Childcare Grant was awarded to 2 ECM recipients!
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Corporate Member Highlights | |
Thank you to all of our corporate members for supporting MANA and making MANA 2022 a success! | |
If you are interested in being our next corporate member to be highlighted submit your content to our email mana@metabolomicsna.org! | |
Metabolomics Related Events | |
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Have instructional courses to offer?
If you are interested in submitting content regarding instructional courses email us at mana@metabolomicsna.org!
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