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Lipidome Profiling

The Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) recently developed a spatial lipidomics platform to analyze low-input biological samples. The new platform enables comprehensive lipidome profiling that preserves the critical spatial context of biological samples and provides insights into underlying lipid metabolic pathways including critical spatial context previously unobtainable with other approaches.

EMSL staff scientists utilize laser capture microdissection to precisely isolate tissue-specific cell regions from cryosectioned samples. Lipids are subsequently extracted from the excised tissue voxels and then analyzed using a setup that includes nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. This offers a robust and highly sensitive approach to lipid characterization from low-input samples. This streamlined workflow ensures deep lipidomic profiling within the full spatial context of the tissue microenvironment.

Research application

  • Supporting the Rhizosphere Function Integrated Research Platform, these resources identify lipids in the plant tissue and surrounding environment and reveal lipid changes unique to specific cell types in the analyzed plant system, providing valuable insights into rhizosphere dynamics.
  • Supporting the Biomolecular Pathways Integrated Research Platform, these resources assist in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind biological processes related to lipid metabolism within the full spatial context of the tissue microenvironment.

Related instruments

  • Lumos Orbitrap
  • Orbitrap Exploris 
  • Zeiss Laser Capture Dissection Microscope

Tips for success

As lipids are sensitive to degradation, biological samples should be flash frozen immediately after sampling and stored at −80°C. EMSL will handle the rest of the critical sample prep (embedding, cryosectioning, and mounting on specific glass slides). Alternatively, users can send us already embedded samples in 7.5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) with 2.5% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).

Contributing teams and resources

Marija Veličković , Rosalie Chu, Kent Bloodsworth, and Kevin Zemaitis, Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, S&T DASH: 61366.

Contacts