X-omics
Netherlands X-omics Initiative
Globally renowned Dutch leaders in the field of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and multi-omics data integration & analysis joined forces to realize the Netherlands X-omics Initiative in 2018. Together, they have been expanding the strong Dutch ‘omics’ technology footprint with innovations that 1. push the boundaries of the individual omics technologies focussing on next generation sequencing, mass spectrometry and bioinformatics, and 2. realize a common data integration and analysis framework to drive high-quality X-omics studies. X-omics enabled breakthroughs in analytical and biological sciences for innovations and impact.
Infrastructure and User Services
The X-omics infrastructure is composed of 4 pillars. The genomics pillar includes core facilities at UMC Utrecht (Utrecht Sequencing Facility) and Radboudumc (Radboudumc Genomics Technology Center) that together have over 35 next generation sequencers ranging from high content Whole Genome Sequencers to high throughput lower content sequencers, combined with automation systems, HPC and analysis software, and associated protocols for single cell and spatial omics analyses. The proteomics pillar includes facilities at Utrecht University (Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry & Proteomics), Netherlands Cancer Institute, Radboudumc (Translational Metabolic Laboratory) that together, in combination with the protein biomarker validation facilities at ErasmusMC and Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, have over 40 mass spectrometers, ranging from ultra-high resolution QTOF MS to high-throughput QqQ MS systems. The metabolomics pillar (also including lipidomics) includes University Leiden (Division of Analytical BioSciences at the Leiden Academic Centre of Drug Research), LUMC (Proteomics and Metabolomics Laboratory), ErasmusMC and Radboudumc (Translational Metabolic Laboratory) that together cover over 30 mass spectrometers, again ranging from high resolution to high throughput systems. The data analysis, integration & stewardship pillar is composed of data scientists from X-omics partners across Netherlands, coordinated by the Radboudumc and UMCG.
Details and links to our laboratory and data facilities and capabilities and services can be found at www.x-omics.nl.
Examples/description of the type of research
A wide variety of research is facilitated by the X-omics infrastructure, ranging from biomedical investigations into mechanisms of health and disease, biology of cell metabolism, biomarker validations, analytical biotechnological optimisations, population research to name a few. We have interacted in a number of multi-omics demonstrators with collaborative scientists, resulting in 300-350 scientific peer-reviewed articles per year since the start of X-omics.
How to access the infrastructure?
X-omics provides coordinated access to several services:
- Consultancy and advice on X-omics/multi-omics approaches, including feasibility, optimal approaches towards the desired research answer, study design and practical aspects such as sample isolation and preparation;
- A range of analytical omics services in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics,
- Support for data stewardship, integration and analysis, all following the FAIR data principles.