The National Facility for Exposomics at SciLifeLab provides expertise in small-molecule mass spectrometry for the comprehensive characterization of chemical exposures in human and environmental samples [1–5].
The exposome encompasses all environmental exposures experienced throughout an individual’s lifetime. Since the concept was introduced in 2005, exposomics has evolved into a rapidly developing research field aiming to characterize these exposures and understand their interactions and contributions to health and disease [6–10].
We primarily focus on the chemical fraction of the exposome, using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to identify and characterize a broad range of chemicals, including environmental pollutants, industrial chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and naturally occurring compounds.
Our mission is to make state-of-the-art analytical technologies and expertise in chemical exposomics accessible to researchers in Sweden and internationally.
We support research investigating human and environmental exposure to complex mixtures of chemicals, their sources, occurrence and potential implications for human health and environmental quality.
Using complementary targeted and nontargeted HRMS approaches, we can quantify known chemicals, screen for suspected substances and investigate previously uncharacterized chemical exposures. Our workflows cover a broad range of chemical classes, including environmental pollutants, pesticides, PFAS, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals and other small molecules.
We work with a wide variety of sample types, including human biofluids and tissues, wildlife tissues, water, air and other environmental matrices. Analytical workflows are adapted to the specific research questions, sample characteristics and requirements of each project.
We also prioritize the development and implementation of open-science analytical and data-processing workflows, supporting transparent, reproducible and FAIR data practices.
Population-based studies and large human cohorts
The National Facility for Exposomics provides scalable analytical workflows to support large human population studies, epidemiological cohorts and biobank-based research. Our high-throughput sample preparation workflows, enable efficient processing of hundreds to thousands of biological samples. By combining targeted quantification with suspect screening and nontarget analysis, we enable comprehensive chemical exposure profiling and investigation of exposure–health associations at population scale.
We provide flexible analytical services tailored to individual research projects, combining complementary sample preparation strategies, chromatographic separation techniques and high-resolution mass spectrometry workflows. A key strength of our approach is the integration of targeted and nontargeted chemical analysis, enabling the simultaneous quantification of known chemicals and broader screening for suspected or previously unrecognized compounds. This provides a more comprehensive characterization of chemical exposures and mixtures in human and environmental samples.
Targeted chemical analysis
Quantitative analysis of known chemicals using validated or fit-for-purpose analytical methods.
Multiclass analysis of chemical contaminants and other small molecules in human and environmental samples.
Suspect screening and nontarget analysis
Comprehensive chemical screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with Orbitrap technology coupled to liquid (LC) or gas chromatography (GC).
Suspect screening for chemicals of known or predicted identity.
Detection, annotation and structural characterization of previously unrecognized chemical compounds.
Combined data-dependent (DDA) and data-independent (DIA) MS/MS acquisition strategies.
Sample preparation and analytical development
Development and optimization of sample preparation methods for human and environmental matrices.
Trace-level chemical analysis in dedicated clean laboratory facilities.
In-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) for water and biofluid analysis.
Data processing and interpretation
Data processing using open-science software and reproducible workflows.
Quantitative data processing, quality control and reporting.
Multivariate statistical analysis and interpretation of complex chemical exposomics datasets.
Access & User policy
Access follows SciLifeLab guidelines and is open to Swedish and international academic users, as well as researchers from healthcare, governmental agencies and the private sector. Projects are evaluated based on scientific quality, relevance, societal impact and technical feasibility.
Project consultation
Researchers are welcome to contact us for preliminary discussions, analytical consultations and assistance with defining projects, including support with grant applications and budget estimates. We encourage early contact to discuss analytical possibilities and ensure that the proposed study design is compatible with our capabilities.
Submit a project
To request our services, please submit a project application through our online order portal.
Your application should describe the research background and objectives, study design and cohort, total number of samples, and sample characteristics (e.g. biofluids or tissues, raw or pre-extracted material).
Following submission, we will review your application and contact you to discuss the project details, analytical strategy, timelines and quotation.
For further questions, please contact: Stefano Papazian Head of Unit, National Facility for Exposomics stefano.papazian@scilifelab.se
Equipment
Our infrastructure is equipped with state-of-the-art high-resolution mass spectrometry instrumentation, enabling sensitive and comprehensive chemical analysis across a broad range of small molecules. Our instrumentation supports complementary chromatographic and ionization techniques, enabling the investigation of a broad chemical space, including both polar and nonpolar compounds.
Sample preparation is performed in dedicated laboratory facilities, including a positive-pressure, HEPA-filtered clean laboratory designed to minimize background contamination during trace-level chemical analysis.
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