Abstract: The invention provides methods of characterising the mode of action of a test compound by exposing populations of a living system to control and treatment conditions, using an unlabeled and labeled isotope source materials. The measurement of the isotopomer distribution of metabolites reveals the effect of the test compounds on the metabolism in that living systems. Further embodiments include where the living system is a plant, fungus, invertebrate, bacteria or virus, and where the test compound is a screening lead in a pesticide product development program.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method and means of producing itaconic acid based on the use of the mammalian Immune response gene 1 (Irg1) and variants to express an enzyme which converts cis-aconitic acid to itaconic acid. The method includes cultivation a host cell comprising the Igr1 gene or variants thereof and obtaining itaconic acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to in vitro methods to predict the presence of inflammation, gene IRG1 or protein encoded by IRG1 in a subject by determining presence of itaconic acid in a biological sample isolated from the subject. The invention is also directed to methods to predict the ability of a subject to produce itaconic acid under inflammation by determining the presence IRG1 in a biological sample. The invention is also related to pharmaceutical composition to initiate production of itaconic acid in a subject for preventing or treating inflammation, or bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and kit for the separation and purification of cellular components including polar and non-polar metabolites, genomic DNA, RNA and proteins from a single biological sample where two steps of lysis of the cells are performed sequentially, before and after a metabolite isolation step. The first lysis step is mechanical and performed in order to be incomplete, whereas the second is chemical or both mechanical and chemical. A sequential isolation of genomic DNA, RNA and proteins is carried out after the second lysis step.