Serum Lipidomics Analysis

In lipidomics, sample selection is a critical factor that directly influences the quality, coverage, and interpretability of lipid profiling data. Among various biological matrices, serum stands out as a preferred and versatile sample type for systemic lipid analysis in basic research, biochemical studies, and large-scale metabolomic investigations.

Why Choose Serum as a Lipidomics Sample?

• Reflects Whole-Body Lipid Status: Serum lipids originate from multiple tissues and organs, transported through the circulatory system. As such, serum offers a comprehensive snapshot of systemic lipid metabolism under specific biological conditions.
• Low Biological Variability: Compared to plasma, serum has reduced levels of coagulation factors and endogenous enzymes, which minimizes lipid degradation and enhances data stability across samples.
• Ease of Standardization: Serum sample preparation is straightforward and highly compatible with lipidomics workflows. It supports reproducible lipid extraction, efficient phase separation, and consistent recovery of diverse lipid classes.
• Suitability for Quantitative Studies: The relatively clean matrix of serum allows for sensitive detection and accurate quantification of both high- and low-abundance lipid species, making it ideal for kinetic studies, nutritional research, and stress response modeling.

When Is Serum Lipidomics Recommended?

Serum lipidomics is particularly suitable when:

• Analyzing metabolic perturbations in animal models or cell-free systems
• Investigating lipid pathway regulation under genetic, environmental, or dietary interventions
• Conducting time-course or dose-response studies where reproducibility and minimal matrix interference are critical
• Profiling lipid signatures in systems biology, omics integration, or flux analysis contexts

By offering a high-resolution, systemic view of lipid alterations across experimental conditions, serum-based lipidomics provides a robust foundation for understanding complex metabolic networks and regulatory mechanisms.

Serum Lipidomics Analysis Service in Creative Proteomics

Targeted Quantification of Serum Lipid Classes

Precise quantification of lipid classes (glycerolipids, phospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols, glycolipids) using MRM/PRM-based LC-MS/MS and isotope-labeled internal standards.

Untargeted Serum Lipid Profiling

Comprehensive lipid profiling using high-resolution LC-MS/MS to identify and characterize hundreds of lipid species, revealing unexpected lipidomic shifts.

Lipid Species Characterization

Structural identification of lipids, including acyl chain length, unsaturation, and modification, via tandem MS and accurate mass analysis.

Oxidized Lipid Analysis

Quantification of oxidized lipids, such as OxPLs and oxylipins, to investigate oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.

Differential Lipidomics Analysis

Comparative analysis to identify differentially expressed lipids across experimental conditions or treatment groups, with statistical validation.

Pathway Enrichment & Mapping

Integration of lipid data with metabolic pathways using KEGG, LIPID MAPS, and Reactome for functional analysis and pathway visualization.

Customized Lipid Panel Development

Tailored lipid panels for specific research needs, including LOD/LOQ validation and standard curve generation.

Time-Series & Dose-Response Lipid Dynamics

Lipidomic analysis over time or under different doses to capture metabolic changes and trends.

Specialized Serum Lipidomics Services

To address diverse biological questions across plant systems, Creative Proteomics also provides organ- and compartment-specific lipidomics solutions:

• Serum Vegetative Organs Lipidomics: Targeted lipid profiling in leaves, stems, and roots to reveal tissue-specific lipid metabolism.
• Serum Seeds Lipidomics: Analysis of storage lipids and developmental lipid shifts in seeds for insights into germination and oil accumulation.
• Serum Subcellular Compartments Lipidomics: Lipidomic mapping in chloroplasts, mitochondria, and other organelles to localize metabolic functions.

How Creative Proteomics Provides Serum Lipidomics Assay?

What Platforms are Used for Serum Lipidomics Analysis?

High-Resolution LC-MS/MS

High-resolution mass spectrometry (240,000 FWHM). Excellent mass accuracy (≤2 ppm).

Thermo Fisher Q Exactive (Orbitrap LC-MS/MS) (Figure from Thermo Fisher)

Targeted LC-MS/MS

For targeted quantification with MRM transitions. Dynamic range: 5–6 orders of magnitude.

Agilent 6495C + 1260 HPLC (Figure from Agilent)

Serum Lipidomics Analysis Service: Results and Data Analysis

• Quantitative Output: Absolute or relative quantification of 1,000+ lipid species across 40+ subclasses, with optional use of internal standards.
• Comprehensive Annotation: Detailed identification including lipid class, subclass, molecular composition, acyl chain length, and degree of unsaturation.
• Statistical Analysis: Differential expression analysis with fold change, p-values, and FDR correction to ensure statistical significance.
• Multivariate Analysis: PCA, PLS-DA, and clustering to visualize lipidomic patterns and group separation.
• Pathway Integration: Lipid species mapped to metabolic pathways using KEGG, Reactome, and LIPID MAPS for functional insights.
• Data Deliverables: Publication-ready data files (.xlsx, .raw, .mzML), graphical summaries, volcano plots, heatmaps, and pathway diagrams.

Sample Requirements for Serum Lipidomics Solutions

What Our Serum Lipidomics Analysis Is Used For

Nutritional Science

Exploring lipid metabolic changes in response to diet, identifying biomarkers for nutritional interventions.

Metabolic Research

Investigating lipid dysregulation in metabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.

Environmental Stress Studies

Analyzing the impact of environmental factors (e.g., pollutants, toxins) on lipid metabolism and cellular function.

Aging Research

Profiling age-related lipidomic shifts to uncover biomarkers for aging and age-associated diseases.

Exercise Physiology

Understanding lipidomic alterations in response to different exercise regimens and their effects on performance and recovery.

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Assessing the impact of drug treatments or toxic exposures on lipid metabolism and related pathways.

FAQs for Serum Lipidomics Analysis Service

References

1. Kappler, Lisa, et al. "Purity matters: A workflow for the valid high-resolution lipid profiling of mitochondria from cell culture samples." Scientific Reports 6.1 (2016): 21107.
2. Ryan, Monique J., et al. "Comprehensive lipidomic workflow for multicohort population phenotyping using stable isotope dilution targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry." Journal of proteome research 22.5 (2023): 1419-1433.