Researchers are uncovering a wealth of previously unrecognized metabolites within existing datasets, but limitations in current analytical tools suggest that we may be overlooking critical compounds. This insight comes from Michael Bielski, CEO of Metablify, a newly launched startup that aims to revolutionize metabolite analysis. Metabolites, which are small molecules found in cells and tissues, play a crucial role in biological processes. Identifying these compounds could significantly accelerate the development of new cancer drugs, biopesticides, and other vital applications.
“Every new metabolite in a sample is potentially a new drug, a new biomarker, or something that can enhance crop yields,” Bielski notes. “So every time we miss them, we’re just missing a whole new path of research, potentially.” With this vision, Metablify officially launched this week from the Danforth Technology Company (DTC), a subsidiary of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The startup was founded by a team of plant scientists from the center—Ivan Baxter, PhD, Allen Hubbard, PhD, and Louis Connelly—alongside Bielski.
The Metablify platform is designed to empower researchers to sift through the thousands of metabolites that could exist in experimental datasets. Utilizing advanced liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC/MS) data processing algorithms, the platform aims to pinpoint the most significant metabolites. Bielski describes Metablify as having “an opportunity to disrupt the LC/MS landscape,” a reference to the analytical chemistry technique that is essential for separating, identifying, and quantifying compounds in complex mixtures.
The inception of Metablify can be traced back to a challenge faced during a large metabolomics experiment that involved high-throughput profiling of metabolites across 3,800 samples. “We realized that the current software capped out at about 400 samples,” Baxter recounts. This limitation prompted Hubbard to propose a solution akin to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for metabolites, which would amplify the signals of metabolites in a manner similar to how PCR amplifies DNA. However, since metabolites cannot be multiplied, the team needed a technology that could enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the metabolites being analyzed.
The Metablify platform addresses this need by overlapping data from various metabolite samples, effectively strengthening the signal of research subjects and improving detection capabilities. Bielski likens this process to capturing images of a faint galaxy: “If you take one picture, it’s tough to figure out what’s going on. But if you take lots and lots of pictures and stack them, the information starts to emerge, and the noise disappears.” This capability becomes increasingly important as datasets grow larger, aligning with the current trajectory of research.
Beyond pharmaceuticals, Metablify’s technology has significant implications for agriculture. The platform could enhance crop yields, contribute to drought resistance, and provide innovative approaches to biological crop protection products. “It’s really about uncovering this treasure trove of information that we funnel downstream to researchers excited about solving these problems,” Bielski explains.
The startup has already garnered interest from early investors, including DTC and QRM Capital. It has received four grants from the Danforth Center’s proof-of-concept fund totaling $200,000, along with $500,000 from DTC. Additionally, Metablify secured early seed funding by winning the Danforth Center’s Big Ideas 3.0 competition in late 2023. Currently, the team is focused on establishing partnerships and collaborations to validate its technology further.
Bielski and Baxter emphasize that Metablify has a clear roadmap for expansion. The initial product is tailored for one type of LC/MS machine, but there are plans to adapt the technology for other models. “Once we’ve shown [the tech] off to collaborators, we want to keep expanding that circle,” Baxter adds. The ambition is to eventually market the platform to a broader range of customers, including those in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and personalized medicine.
As Metablify embarks on this journey, the potential to unlock new research pathways through metabolite analysis could have far-reaching implications across various fields, from drug discovery to agricultural innovation.