Targeted lipidomics

Targeted lipidomics focuses your studies on specific lipids: quantify over a thousand lipid molecular species, even in complex samples

Targeted lipidomics experiments focus on the quantitative changes occurring for a defined set of lipids across a large number of biological samples. Targeted panels can be broad or focused on a particular set of biologically important lipids, such as lipid mediators. With targeted lipidomics, accurately measuring concentration changes in the matrix of interest is fundamental for gaining a better understanding of the underlying biology. However, lipids as a group of molecules exhibit tremendous isomeric and isobaric overlap in their structures. For this reason, the selectivity and specificity of any quantitative methodology are extremely important, along with the overall quantitative specifications. The SelexION device, which performs differential mobility spectrometry, reduces isomeric and isobaric overlap and can be used with simple infusion experiments or in conjunction with liquid chromatography for an added dimension of separation.

SCIEX solutions for targeted lipidomics are built using proven technology that delivers highly accurate, selective, sensitive and reproducible quantification. The SCIEX Triple Quad 6500+ system and the SCIEX 7500 system target thousands of lipids in a single experiment, rapidly switching between positive-ion and negative-ion mode to quantify potential biomarkers and elucidate metabolism at the lipid level. 

Improve the sensitivity and capacity of your targeted lipidomics analysis

Improve sensitivity

The high complexity and dynamic range of the lipidome demand powerful analytical tools for studying lipid changes across biological samples. The very high sensitivity and dynamic range of the SCIEX 7500 system provide significant improvements in both the numbers of lipids quantified in a targeted method and the observed peak areas.  

Improve capacity

Profiling a large number of lipids in a single experiment is often important to gain an early picture of the changing biology and to determine key lipid classes of interest. The powerful Scheduled MRM algorithm enables a very large number of lipids to be targeted in a single method through the time scheduling of MRM acquisition. SCIEX large-scale MRM panels and tools help researchers easily build methods that are specific to the matrix under study. 

Achieve broad lipid quantitation

Using a high-throughput targeted lipidomics method

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Higher sensitivity analysis of a large panel of lipid mediators

Targeted profiling using the SCIEX 7500 system

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Characterization of liposomes as a drug delivery vehicle

Using the SCIEX 7500 system

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Cutting into tallow: a lipidomic exploration of animal-based and alternatively sourced meat

Using the SCIEX 7500 system

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Improve accuracy

Standards for lipid quantification have typically only included one internal standard per lipid class. This can introduce bias as variations in chain lengths and degrees of saturation of fatty acids are not considered. In contrast, quantitative lipidomics standards kits contain multiple labeled internal standards per class with over 50 standards across 13 lipid classes. As a result, less bias is observed for quantification (from 110% to 8.9%) with much more accurate and precise results than ever before. 

Improve selectivity

Accurate lipid quantification requires distinguishing the target lipid species from isomers, interferences and background. The SelexION device provides gas phase separation that isolates lipid classes prior to MS/MS analysis. The SelexION device can be installed by users in minutes and can be coupled with flow injection analysis (FIA) or chromatographic workflows (HPLC, UHPLC). Optional chemical modifiers further increase separation power, enabling the targeting of even the most difficult-to-resolve lipid isomers.

SelexION device

Learn how DMS (differential mobility spectrometry) has enhanced results in targeted lipidomics with the SelexION device.

Separation of glycosylceramides (cerebrosides)

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Iso-elemental lipid species

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Ether- and diacyl-linked phospholipids

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Sphingomyelins

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Retinoic acid isomers

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Chlorine- and acetate-adducts of phosphatidylcholine (PC)

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Bile acid isomers

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Discover untargeted lipidomics solutions from SCIEX

Targeted lipidomics with the SCIEX 7500 system

Quantify more lipids with the SCIEX 7500 system, with high sensitivity and a wide linear dynamic range ideal for large-scale lipid quantification.

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High throughput with the QTRAP 6500+ system

Discover the QTRAP 6500+ system, a detection and quantification workhorse with the widest range of workflows for lipid analysis. Mix and match quantitative MRM and MRM3, qualitative QTRAP scans and the capabilities of the SelexION device and answer your toughest biological questions in a single run.

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SCIEX OS software for the lipids research laboratory

Streamline your targeted lipidomics workflows with the usability, efficiency and integrity of SCIEX OS software.

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