Omics: Profiling metabolism across scales by mass spectrometry

Fructose consumption has increased considerably over the past five decades, largely due to the widespread use of high-fructose corn syrup as a sweetener. We aimed to determine whether diets high in fructose influence the development and progression of multiple types of cancer including melanoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, and cervical cancer. 

Indeed, all of the tumors we examined grew faster in the presence of dietary fructose, some by a factor of 3. Interestingly, however, the cancer cells themselves were incapable of metabolizing the fructose directly. AP-MALDI imaging and multi-omics profiling by using QTOF and QqQ instruments revealed a mechanism by which fructose induced growth indirectly via nutrient transfer.

Presenter: Gary Patti (Washington University in St. Louis)

Gary Patti is the Michael and Tana Powell Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, where he holds appointments in the departments of chemistry, genetics, and medicine. Dr. Patti is the Senior Director of the Center of Mass Spectrometry & Metabolic Tracing, Director of the Clinical Research Core in Medicine, Principal Investigator of the NIH Omics Production Center, Dean's Fellow of Advancement and Entrepreneurship, Director of Faculty Affairs, and the Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Panome Bio. Professor Patti’s research focuses on developing and applying mass spectrometry-based technologies to enhance our understanding of human diseases such as cancer. Professor Patti has been recognized with numerous honors including the Biemann Medal from the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, the Midwest Award from ACS, the Innovation Award from the Academy of Science, and the inaugural NIH award for revolutionizing, innovative, and visionary environmental health research.