Analysis of Cellular Metabolism

Missions and Expertise

The platform was founded by Catherine Brenner in 2015 and established at Gustave Roussy in 2020. Its goal is to provide public and private laboratories with the scientific and methodological expertise and instrumentation necessary to carry out their projects for measuring energy metabolism in real time and cellular processes such as cell death, oxidative stress, proliferation, autophagy, cytotoxicity, and cell migration.

The cellular metabolism analysis platform is equipped with the following:

• 1 Seahorse XFe 96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer (instrument) + Wave (software)

• 1 Cytation 1 (instrument) + Gen5 3.15 (software) + 3 objectives

• 1 OROBOROS NextGen-O2k

Services and Technologies Offered

The platform offers several fee-based services related to the use of the instruments (contact: isabelle.croquison@gustaveroussy.fr). After a feasibility analysis of the project and signing of the platform charter, the user designated by the project leader is trained in various techniques and in the use of the platform’s instruments by the technical manager, Romain Fernandes (IE CNRS). Various kits and protocols are available for the Seahorse and Cytation (e.g., Mitostress, Glycoper, ATP rate, fatty acids, etc.). Users may also develop their own protocols based on their specific needs. Cells can be cultured on-site for external users in a Level 2 and Level 2+ laboratory.

Major Results, Prospects, and Scientific, Clinical, and Societal Impacts

Since its inception, the platform has conducted screening studies of active compounds and the mechanisms of action of compounds and genes. It has contributed to the development of various 2D and 3D preclinical models (e.g., isolated mitochondria, cell lines, primary cells, spheroids, PDX models, etc.). Many of the results obtained on the platform have been published in journals, presented at conferences, and covered by patents.

Every two years, the platform organizes a workshop sponsored by Agilent, bringing together the community of researchers and clinicians interested in metabolism. During this event, training for engineers, doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers is conducted on the platform.