UCSD Lipidomics Core

Services

The services we offer are outlined below. Included in the analysis are all sample extraction procedures, data acquisition and data processing. For every analytical service performed, a report will be generated and sent to the client. Approximate costs are available on our pricing page. For a detailed cost assessment, please complete a quote request.

We provide broad lipidomics analyses of all the major mammalian lipid categories including fatty acyls, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and sterol lipids. We perform fully quantitative or semi-quantitative analyses using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography (LC) -MS/MS platforms. Our analytical approach preserves the lipid structure, identifies the lipid backbone and yields information on the fatty acid composition of complex lipids.

Analytical Services Offered

Fatty Acyls (Fatty Acids, Eicosanoids/Oxylipins, Acylcarnitines)

1. Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are analyzed by GC-MS and fully quantitated by comparison with authentic standards. Currently, the fatty acid panel consists of 33 fatty acids, ranging in chain length from 12 to 26 carbons, and includes all saturated fatty acids, mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids and their positional isomers

a) Free (non-esterified) Fatty Acid Panel

b) Total (sum total of esterified and non-esterified) Fatty Acid Panel

2. Eicosanoids

Eicosanoids and N-acylethanolamines are analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS and are fully quantitated by comparison with authentic standards. The Comprehensive Eicosanoid Panel is a global eicosanoid profile, presently consisting of over 150 eicosanoids. The 10-Eicosanoid Panel is a client-defined set of 10 eicosanoids (contact us for a list of eicosanoids to choose from).

a) Comprehensive Eicosanoid Panel

b) 10-Eicosanoid Panel

3. Acylcarnitines

Acylcarnitines play important roles in fatty acid metabolism and function as vehicles to transport acyl groups from the cytosol into the mitochondria for β-oxidation. Acylcarnitines are analyzed by untargeted UPLC-MS/MS approaches and are identified and quantified using authentic standards.

a) Acylcarnitine Panel

Phospholipids

For phospholipids, we offer several approaches depending on the depth of analysis that is required.

1. Phospholipid Panel

The panel analyzes all individual species contained within each phospholipid class and employs sophisticated acquisition protocols that will provide the exact fatty acid composition of each lipid molecular species. For routine analysis, we provide absolute amounts of each lipid molecular species based on internal standards that added at exactly known amounts. The semi-quantitative results allow for direct comparison between samples or treatments. On special request, we can also quantitate the isobaric species based on existing standards.

2. Phospholipid Class Panel

The class panel consists of a quantitative phospholipid class scan that includes phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylglycerol and all lyso derivatives of these. We can quantify all of these classes or limit to only the ones that you select.

Glycerolipids

1. Glycerolipid Panel

The glycerolipid panel provides data on all individual triacylglyceride and diacylglyceride molecular species that differ in their fatty acid composition. Due to the limited availability of quantitative standards, we recommend glycerolipids profiling scans at the semi-quantitative level, which allows direct comparison between samples or treatments. On special request, we can also quantitate all molecular species based on existing standards.

Sphingolipids

1. Sphingolipid Panel

The Sphingolipid Panel consists of both the Sphingomyelin Panel and the Ceramide Panel and provides quantitative data on all lipid molecular species based on internal standards added at exactly known concentrations.

2. Sphingomyelin Panel

The sphingomyelin panel provides quantitative data on all lipid molecular species based on internal standards added at exactly known concentrations.

3. Ceramide Panel

The ceramide panel provides quantitative data on all lipid molecular species based on internal standards added at exactly known concentrations.

4. Sphingoid Bases Panel

The Sphingoid Bases Panel includes sphingosine, sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, sphinganine-1-phosphate, 1-deoxysphinganine, 1-deoxysphingosine and 3-ketosphinganine. These measurements are performed fully quantitatively.

Cholesterol Esters

1. Cholesterol Ester Panel

For the analysis of cholesterol esters, we use a MS protocol that yields profiling data on all individual cholesterol ester molecular species based on the associated fatty acids and we provide fully quantitative data.

Sterols/Oxysterols

1. Free (non-esterified) Sterol Panel

2. Total (sum total of esterified and non-esterified) Sterol Panel

Our basic sterol panel presently consists of over 20 sterol and oxysterol metabolites; however, our method is easily adaptable to include additional metabolites of interest. Sterol and oxysterol profiling is performed fully quantitatively.

Complex Lipid Panel

1. Complex Lipid Panel

Our Complex Lipid Panel includes the Phospholipid Panel, the Glycerolipid Panel, the Sphingolipid Panel, the Cholesterol Ester Panel and the Acylcarnitine Panel.

Sample Preparation

1. Extraction

2. Homogenization (of solid tissue)

3. Protein Analysis

Consultation

Dr. Oswald Quehenberger is available to provide additional consultation for projects, including more detailed lipid metabolism information, sample preparation instructions, experimental design and setup, and data interpretation. Consultation is billed at an hourly rate.

Major Equipment

SCIEX 6500 triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer (6500QTRAP) with Waters Acquity Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) system

SCIEX 4000 triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer (4000QTRAP) with Shimazu High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system

ThermoFisher Q Exactive mass spectrometer with Vanquish UHPLC system

Agilent 5975 gas chromatograph with Mass Selective Detector (GC/MSD)

Gerstel automated lipid extractor for high-throughput analysis

Experimental Design

For consultation on experimental design and minimum sample requirements, please contact our Core Director, Dr. Quehenberger or Technical Director, Aaron Armando, before sending samples.

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