Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics for biomarker research

Abstract

As fundamental components of cellular membrane, metabolic and energy storage units, and signaling molecules, lipids play key roles in many pathophysiological processes. The systematic study of lipid molecular species and their interactions in biological samples, or the so-called lipidomics study, can assist with the understanding of the general condition of the whole biological system. Qualitative and quantitative determination of the subtle alterations of lipids in biological systems caused by genetics, diet, environment, and therapeutic interventions will not only facilitate in uncovering the pathophysiological role of lipids in disease onset and development but will also help to identify novel biomarkers for early detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of disease. Currently, the tremendous innovations in mass spectrometry and chromatographic techniques have largely driven the development of lipidomics. It has become an emerging approach extensively applied in biomarker research.