Lipidomics is the large-scale study of entire set of lipids (‘Lipidome’) present in a particular biological system (cell, tissue, organism or ecosystem). Lipids play key physiological roles and study of their metabolic pathways provide insightful data required in particular biomarker discovery or other therapies and treatments.
Most common methods for lipids analysis in bulk include chloroform-containing liquid–liquid extraction methods, such as the Bligh–Dyer and Folch extraction protocols. In these methods, sample is homogenised after which a combination of methanol and chloroform is added along with an antioxidant and a lipid standard mix. Centrifugation and evaporation is performed to obtain lipids. Lipid extract is then subjected to mass spectrometry for further analysis.
Lipidomics technologies are significantly contributing in drug discovery- particularly targeted and phenotypic drug discovery (TDD and PDD respectively). Various state-of-the-art lipidomics technologies and assays that play crucial role in drug and/or biomarker discovery, are shown below:
Share your opinion on this emerging technology of lipidomics and its contribution in drug discovery.
MBH/PS