Metabolomics Pricing
New pricing begins July 1, 2025
Sample Submission and Pricing Options
Our assays have two pricing options, based on who performs the sample preparation:
Option A – Researcher-Prepared Samples
You extract or purify the samples prior to submission. Samples must be provided in HPLC vials (with inserts), fully prepared and ready for direct injection. This includes samples that have been:
– Extracted from raw materials (e.g., cells, tissues, fluids)
– Purified using solid-phase extraction (SPE) or a related method
Option B – Core-Prepared Samples
You submit raw biological materials (e.g., cells, tissue, blood, plasma, serum, urine, feces), and the Metabolomics Core staff will perform all sample preparation, including extraction and/or purification.
Important: Pricing for Option A is not listed on our website. If you wish to submit samples under Option A, your preparation protocol must first be reviewed and approved by Metabolomics Core staff. Once approved, a custom quote will be provided based on the method and sample type.
Assays / Pricing (Option B pricing only)
Untargeted Profiling
LC-MS Metabolite Profiling
Click here for method details
Pricing: $92 per sample*
LC-MS Lipid Profiling
Click here for method details
Pricing: $92 per sample*
GC-MS Metabolite Profiling
Click here for method details
Pricing: $93 per sample*
*There is an additional fee for QC samples and instrument run set-up/acquired data prep set-up.
Targeted Metabolite Classes
Steroids
Click here for method details
Pricing: $63 per sample*
Bile Acids
Click here for method details
Pricing: $63 per sample*
Amino Acids
Click here for method details
Pricing: $63 per sample*
Fatty Acids (non-esterified)
Click here for method details
Pricing: $63 per sample*
Short-chain Fatty Acids
Click here for method details
Pricing: $58 per sample*
Aromatic Amino Acid Derivatives
Click here for method details
Pricing: $63 per sample*
Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators
Click here for method details
Pricing: $63 per sample*
Other Metabolite Classes
We have several other assays that we perform upon request, including those related to the metabolism of amines (such as biogenic amines) and environmental contaminants (such as phthalates). Please inquire, if interested.
*There is an additional fee for QC samples and instrument run set-up/acquired data prep set-up.
Custom Targeted Metabolites (<5 Metabolites)
Custom LC-MS
LC-MS assay with < 5 metabolites
You can request less than 5 metabolites from one of our metabolite class assays (listed above)
Pricing: $57 per sample*
Custom GC-MS
GC-MS assay with < 5 metabolites
You can request less than 5 metabolites from one of our metabolite class assays (listed above)
Pricing: $48 per sample*
*There is an additional fee for QC samples and instrument run set-up/acquired data prep set-up.
Special Request Assays
We have a substantial number of established assays for metabolites not listed above so it is encouraged to inquire if we are able to target other metabolites. Method development can be requested to create new assays but there is a fee charged. In addition, these requests are typically only accommodated if the new method will be used to analyze a large number of samples for the project for which the method is being created. In such cases, execution of this method development may not be for several months after agreement.
Method Development & Validation
We have a substantial number of established assays for metabolites not listed above so it is encouraged to inquire if we are able to target other metabolites. Method development can be requested to create new assays. The prices for various types of method development projects are listed below. Please reach out to discuss method development request with the metabolomics staff before submitting samples or the online sample submission form.
LC-MS Method Validation for Quantitative Assay fee: $3,900
LC-MS Method development fee: $200
LC-MS Method upgrade with instrument set-up for immediate processing of samples fee: $180
LC-MS Method upgrade without instrument set-up and without immediate sample processing fee: $99
GC-MS Method development for volatiles fee: $182
GC-MS Method development for non-volatiles fee: $320
Additional Information
All instruments are operated solely by Carver Metabolomics Core staff.
* There is an additional fee for QC samples and instrument run set-up/acquired data prep set-up.
In cases where SPE sample preparation is required (e.g. urine samples), there is an additional fee of $5/sample.
Consulting (e.g., experiment design, data analysis) fee: $61/hour.
** External (non-UIUC) collaborators are charged an additional overhead fee ranging from 10 – 31.7%. It is capped at 20% for State of Illinois subsidized universities and government agencies. All external projects require a technical testing agreement (TTA). For further information contact Dr. Marcello Rubessa (rubessa@illinois.edu), Associate Director of the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center. There is a separate pricing/rate for industry. Please inquire for specific pricing at metabolomics@illinois.edu.
*** Overhead is subject to change to match campus prevailing rate.
Service rates are subject to change based on calculations subject to University of Illinois Grants and Contracts/Government Costing approval.
All scientific work performed by the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center (CBC) is required to be acknowledged in scholarly publications, posters, and presentations. Proper recognition allows us to measure the impact of our work and supports our initiatives in obtaining sponsored funding. In addition, any CBC personnel who make a substantial intellectual or experimental contribution are deserving of further recognition as co-author.