Software subscriptions
All kits (except MxP® Quant 500 XL) purchased by April 30, 2023, can be used with MetIDQ. After April 30, 2023, MetIDQ will be discontinued, but support will continue until April 30, 2024. All biocrates kits purchased after April 30, 2023 will require a WebIDQ subscription. Please note that the new MxP® Quant 500 XL kit is not compatible with MetIDQ and requires WebIDQ.
No, MetIDQ and WebIDQ cannot be used in parallel. We strongly recommend fully migrating your MetIDQ data to WebIDQ before you start using WebIDQ. During the migration process, the WebIDQ database will be overwritten by the MetIDQ database.
WebIDQ is a multi user application. The total amount of users who can access the software concurrently depends on the subscription plan. Please lookup the details on the product detail pages.
WebIDQ Requirements | cloud and on-premises
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Web browser | Edge or Chrome (latest version) |
| Memory | a minimum of 8 GB RAM |
| Processor | a minimum of 6 cores (Intel i7 10th generation, AMD 5000 series or comparable) |
| Network | stable broadband internet connection required
Grant outbound access to
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WebIDQ server requirements | on-premises only
Hardware where the database and WebIDQ installation are hosted.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or later, 64-bit architecture |
| Memory | a minimum of 16 GB RAM |
| Processor | a minimum of 8 cores (vCPU, Intel i7 10th generation, AMD 5000 series or comparable) |
| Software | Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5.2 or later Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (32 & 64 bit each): 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2013 |
| Database options |
A) PostgreSQL version 12 or later (recommended). No updates and support provided by biocrates. B) Oracle® 19c, 21c or later
|
| Network | stable broadband internet connection required Grant outbound access to
Grant inbound access to
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Yes, WebIDQ includes a migration wizard and online instructions that help to easily move MetIDQ data to WebIDQ. Our customer support team will be there for you should you need any assistance.
There is a general market transition from local to cloud-based applications. Many leading software providers have shifted their services to the cloud (e.g. Microsoft, Oracle, Google) as benefits exceed the disadvantages. In case your institutional restrictions apply, you may use the on-premises subscription. You can always migrate from on-premises to cloud-based subscription any time. Many organizations tend to change positions over time and may allow exception. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
biocrates is committed to protecting and honoring your privacy rights. We fully comply with the GDPR regulations. Each organization gets their own secure and unique database instance assigned for their data. It is not possible to access other organization’s data. All client-to-service communication is encrypted (SSL protection) and access within the organization is managed by user role management through the organizations’ administrators.
WebIDQ contains tools for data normalization and analysis as well as MetaboINDICATOR.
Additionally, biocrates offers a statistical analysis service and interpretation package performed by our in-house experts.
- Uploaded raw data files (e.g. ".wiff" files) are converted to mzML format and these are stored in the WebIDQ database.
Please note: The original files are not stored in WebIDQ. Please consider an appropriate backup! - The WebIDQ database, including the mzML files, is regularly backed up by biocrates.Following retention policy is applied:
Month - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 frequency of backup daily every other day weekly weekly weekly biweekly biweekly biweekly monthly monthly monthly monthly - Four months after the term for WebIDQ Cloud has ended the Client Data in the storage will be deleted.
- After the term for WebIDQ on-premises has ended access will be restricted, but no data will be deleted.
This depends on the type of subscription.
WebIDQ cloud subscription: In case of subscription expiration, WebIDQ changes to a read-only mode. Read-only access to WebIDQ lasts for 30 days during which a subscription can be renewed, and results can and should be easily downloaded to your local computer or network. After the read-only period, the account is marked for deletion. Data will be deleted once a quarter.
On-premises subscription: After the expiration of the subscription, WebIDQ changes to a read-only mode. Read-only access to WebIDQ lasts for 30 days during which results can and should be easily downloaded to your local computer. Data retention depends on the on-premises server. We will not delete any data.
All data of biocrates cloud applications, i.e. biocrates webshop, My biocrates, WebIDQ cloud and QMDB, are stored in European data centers. We are fully GDPR compliant. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions and Provacy Policy for details.
Products
In addition to your mass spectrometer operating software (e.g. Analyst, MassHunter, MassLynx, Xcalibur), you need the WebIDQ workflow management software, which is available as a cloud or on-premises subscription separate from the kits: https://shop.biocrates.com/Software/
The lifespan of the column depends heavily on the number and type of samples being run, as well as the storage conditions between plates (column should be stored in pure LC-MS grade acetonitrile). Running plasma samples, the column system can normally be used for 15-20 kits (1200-1600 samples, MxP® Quant 500). Dirtier sample matrices (e.g. urine or fecal samples) may reduce the lifespan. Usually a minimum of 10 kits (800 samples, MxP® Quant 500) can be run per column irrespective of sample type. Regardless of the number of runs, chromatography should always be evaluated immediately after every LC run. As the column ages, the early eluting peaks will begin to broaden and show peak fronting, shoulder peaks, or in worse cases double peaks. Retention times of the early eluting compounds may also begin shifting earlier. Late eluting peaks are not as affected by column age. Some of these issues may also be a result of a leak somewhere in the system. Loosen and retighten all fittings and perform test injections before replacing the column.
If the peaks becoming jagged, it may be a result of instability in the electrospray (ESI electrode, gas flow, contamination, etc.) rather than chromatography related.
Please download the respective kit requirements document for the product you want to buy. The full mass spectrometry system compatibility list can be found here.
The Stero17 kit requires 250-500 µL of plasma or serum, depending on the used mass spectrometer (whereas only serum has been validated for that kit). All other kits require 10 µL of plasma or serum. For other matrices or further details, please contact biocrates support.
Run time per sample / min
|
|
Quant 500 |
p180 |
p400 HR |
Quant HR Xpress |
Bile Acids |
Stero17 |
|
UHPLC |
20 |
11 |
21 |
10.5 |
5.5 |
10.5 |
|
HPLC |
29.5 |
14 |
N/A |
N/A |
12 |
22 |
Run time per kit / h
|
|
Quant 500 |
p180 |
p400 HR |
Quant HR Xpress |
Bile Acids |
Stero17 |
|
UHPLC |
32 |
17 |
34 |
17 |
9 |
17 |
|
HPLC |
48.5 |
22.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
20 |
36 |
! Average times are shown. They may be different for the used LC-MS platform.
Expiration date for Quant 500 and Quant 500 XL kits:
- Storage at -20 °C: 3 months after shipping date
- Storage at -80 °C: 12 months after shipping date
Expiration date for p180, p400 HR, Quant HR Xpress and Bile Acids kits:
- Storage at -20 °C: 6 months after shipping date
- Storage at -80 °C: 12 months after shipping date
Expiration date for Stero 17 kit:
- Storage at -20 °C: 3 months after shipping date
- Storage at -80 °C: 3 months after shipping date
After preparation:
Plates should be run immediately after preparation for best results. If unforeseen complications arise (e.g. instrumental issues) that prevent the plate form being run immediately:
-
- Plate can be run within 48h: Store plates at 4°C
- Plate cannot be run within 48h: Contact biocrates support!
biocrates kits have been specifically validated for use with plasma and serum. However, a wide variety of other sample matrices can be analyzed using the kits. Essentially any samples with endogenous metabolites can be analyzed with the correct preparation.
For most kits, protocols for the following matrices are available:
- Tissue
- Urine
- Fecal
- Cell culture
- Dried blood spots
- Cerebrospinal fluid
If you are interested in other matrices, please contact biocrates support!
A kit must be prepared all at once, as it is sealed under nitrogen to prevent degradation. Kits are for single use only.
biocrates kits have been specifically validated for use with plasma and serum. Feasibility tests have been carried out with other sample matrices and protocols are available (see below). Basically, any samples containing endogenous metabolites can be analyzed with the correct preparation. However, for any samples other than plasma or serum, we always recommend performing pilot tests with representative samples before starting a larger study. The results may depend on the nature and on the quality of the samples.
For most kits, protocols for the following matrices are available:
- Tissues
- Urine
- Cells
- Dried blood spots (DBS)
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Kits were validated and tested on specific MS instruments so that we can provide all optimized methods to our users and guarantee the high level of performance you can expect.
biocrates kits were validated with EDTA and heparin plasma only. Citrate plasma may also be used, but performance may be reduced. The most important aspect is to ensure that all plasma samples within one study are collected in the same way and using the same anticoagulant. For a summary of various anticoagulants and their effect on metabolomics samples, please refer to this peer-reviewed study.
- Any UHPLC or HPLC system will work, as long as the minimum specifications of the kit requirements are met
- Autosampler: Any model works that supports 96 well plates, cooling, and a column oven
- An experienced instrument operator is required to make sure that configurations and communications work between LC and MS systems.
While the biocrates kits come with all the standards and quality controls necessary, some other additional solvents and lab equipment are required to successfully prepare and run a plate. Please contact biocrates support for a detailed list of requirements and recommendations.
You can run the kits in our certified partner laboratories worldwide. Moreover, we offer sample analysis and statistical analysis up to data interpretation through our metabolic phenotyping services, . Please contact us for more information: https://shop.biocrates.com/Services/.