Targeted lipidomics

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.