Health and Environmental Assessment Laboratory (HEAL) Service Center

The mission of the HEAL Service Center is to advance collaborative research by providing accessible, state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and analytical support to faculty, academic partners, and industry in the greater Lehigh Valley region, fostering innovation and empowering investigators to achieve their scientific goals.

Lehigh University's College of Health established the HEAL Service Center in 2024, serving internal faculty, external academic partners, and industry collaborators across the greater Lehigh Valley region. The center houses highly valuable instrumentation such as a mass spectrometer with dedicated operational support, giving researchers reliable, long-term access without the burden of managing equipment independently. By centralizing these resources within the College of Health, the center connects investigators across disciplines, strengthens the university's research capacity, and helps faculty compete and prepare for grants. Researchers at any stage of a project are welcome, whether they need a quick targeted analysis or are building a large-scale study from the ground up.

The lab is built around a Thermo Fisher Vanquish LC coupled to a Q Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer, a high-resolution platform supporting both metabolomics and proteomics workflows for targeted and untargeted analysis across a broad range of sample types.

Researchers bring biological samples including blood, plasma, serum, urine, saliva, nasal fluid, gut microbiota, and tissue, as well as environmental samples such as water runoff and wastewater. For metabolomics, these matrices are analyzed to detect and quantify small molecules that reflect environmental exposures and their effects on the body. For proteomics, the lab uses a bottom-up (shotgun) approach where proteins are first digested into smaller peptide fragments, which are then separated and identified by the mass spectrometer, making it possible to profile thousands of proteins from a single sample and link changes in protein expression to environmental stressors and health outcomes.

The HEAL Service Center accommodates a wide range of project needs, from simple targeted quantification of a handful of compounds to large-scale omics studies. Support is available at every stage, including sample preparation, method development, data analysis, and interpretation.

Environmental Contaminant Screening The lab analyzes water, wastewater, runoff, soil, dust, and airborne particulate samples for a wide range of chemical contaminants, with detection sensitivity down to trace levels.

• Pesticides, herbicides, and industrial chemicals
• PFAS and other persistent organic pollutants
• Antibiotics, drug residues, and personal care product ingredients
• Targeted analysis of known compounds and untargeted screening for unknown or unexpected chemicals

Metabolomics and Lipidomics The lab detects and quantifies thousands of small molecules in a single run across a broad range of biological and environmental matrices, including blood, plasma, urine, saliva, nasal fluid, tissue, and wastewater.

• Targeted metabolite panels for known compounds
• Untargeted metabolomics for discovery-driven research
• Applications in nutrition, environmental exposure, inflammation, oxidative stress, and disease biomarkers

Proteomics Using a bottom-up shotgun approach, the lab identifies and quantifies proteins from cells, tissues, plasma, urine, and other biological fluids, with microflow workflows routinely detecting close to 3,000 proteins per sample.

• Biomarker discovery and protein expression profiling
• Pathway analysis and exposure-response studies
• Deep proteome coverage from limited or precious sample volumes

Targeted Quantification For projects requiring precise, reproducible measurement of specific compounds, the lab develops validated methods using calibration and internal standards.

• Pollutant monitoring across environmental sampling sites
• Biomarker quantification in clinical cohorts
• Drug compounds and their metabolites
• Longitudinal tracking of specific chemicals across timepoints

Method Development and Consultation The lab works with researchers at every stage, from initial study design through data interpretation.

• Sample collection and preparation guidance
• Custom method development for new sample types or analytes
• Data analysis support
• Training for students and researchers new to mass spectrometry

Coming Soon

The service center has established a clear point of contact to request services and for billing and payment, other communications and announcements of the service center.

Email: inhealt@lehigh.edu

Do I need prior experience with LC-MS/MS to use the facility?
No. We offer both self-service (for trained users) and staff-run services. If you are not trained, our staff can run your samples and assist with method development and data acquisition.

Do I need training to operate the instrument myself?
Yes. Only authorized and trained users are permitted to operate the LC-MS system independently. Training must be completed through the HEAL Service Center, and users may only operate within the scope of that training.

Can I let someone else run samples under my account?
No. Instrument access is strictly limited to authorized users. Allowing untrained or unauthorized individuals to use the instrument under your account is not permitted.

How long does an LC-MS run take?
Run times vary depending on the method and sample type, but typically range from 10 minutes to 2 hours per sample. Longer or specialized methods may require additional time.

What if I don’t know which LC-MS method is appropriate for my samples?
No problem. We offer method development and sample preparation services tailored to your sample type. Our team will work with you to identify the most appropriate method and optimize conditions for your analysis.

How can I get pricing or rates for using the LC-MS?
For current rates and billing information, please contact us at inhealt@lehigh.edu or abs421@lehigh.edu.

Does the HEAL Service Center provide columns, reagents, and supplies?
Yes. We provide access to columns, solvents, reagents, and other consumables required for sample preparation and analysis. These materials will be charged to the user based on usage.

Can I just drop off my samples and receive results?
Yes. We offer a fully staff-run service, where you can submit your samples and our team will handle preparation (if needed), data acquisition, and initial processing.

Do you provide help with data analysis?
Yes. We can assist with data processing and interpretation, depending on the project scope. Please contact us in advance to discuss your analysis needs.

Can I submit unknown samples?
No. We do not accept completely unknown samples, as they may damage the instrument or contaminate the system.

What is considered an “unknown sample”?
An unknown sample is one where the chemical composition, properties, or potential interactions are not understood.
 Acceptable:
     o Biological samples with known origin (e.g., cell lysates, digested proteomics samples)
     o Samples that are properly prepared and validated (e.g., confirmed digestion via SDS-PAGE)
 Not acceptable:
     o Samples with unknown chemical composition
     o Materials that may react unpredictably with solvents, columns, or the instrument

If you are unsure, please contact the facility before submitting your samples.

What solvents are allowed?
Samples must be prepared in LC-MS compatible solvents, including:
 Water
 Methanol
 Acetonitrile
Small amounts of formic acid or acetic acid are acceptable. Any other solvents or additives must be disclosed and approved in advance.

What types of samples are prohibited or restricted?
The following are not allowed without prior approval:
 High concentrations of nonvolatile salts or buffers
 Strong acids or bases out of acceptable pH ranges
 Particulates or poorly dissolved samples
 Polymers
 Proteins
 Reactive or unstable compounds
 Any high molecular weight or big molecules
Additional considerations:
 Proteins are allowed only if properly prepared, such as enzymatically digested (e.g., trypsin digestion) and free of high molecular weight species.
 Samples containing large or high molecular weight components (e.g., intact proteins, aggregates, or poorly characterized macromolecules) may not be accepted unless reviewed and approved in advance.
 Additionally, radioactive, biohazardous, or infectious materials are not permitted on this instrument.

How should I prepare my samples?
To ensure instrument safety and data quality:
 Remove particulates (0.22 µm filtration recommended)
 Ensure samples are fully dissolved
 Keep protein concentration ≤ 0.5 mg/mL (for proteomics samples)
 Use appropriate vials and clearly label all samples
Improper sample preparation may result in rejection or poor data quality.

What happens if my sample damages the instrument?
Users’ Lab are financially responsible for any damage, contamination, or service costs resulting from improper sample submission or misuse.

How do I schedule instrument time?
All instrument usage must be scheduled in advance through inhealt@lehigh.edu or abs421@lehigh.edu.
Users must:

 Use only their reserved time slot
 Cancel at least 48 hours in advance if needed
 Ensure runs finish within the reserved time unless approved otherwise

What should I do if something goes wrong during a run?
If you observe issues such as:
 Pressure spikes
 Leaks
 Unusual noises
 Signal instability
Stop the run (if safe) and contact HEAL staff immediately. Do not attempt repairs yourself.

How long is my data stored?
The facility stores raw data for up to 6 months. After that, data may be permanently deleted. Users are responsible for downloading and backing up their data immediately after acquisition.

Who is responsible for compliance and safety?
All users must follow:
 HEAL Service Center policies
 Institutional safety guidelines
Failure to comply may result in loss of instrument access.