What is lipidomics?

Lipid is a small molecule that is insoluble or sparingly soluble in water. Lipids play an essential role in all biological species. Lipidomics is a science of lipid composition of biological samples. Lipidomic alterations are observed in human tissues and fluids in disease states, including cardiometabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and obesity. Lipidomics combines state-of-the-art technologies that provide a holistic view of these perturbations and provide molecular details of altered biochemical pathways and biomarkers for therapeutic use.

The ICAN Omics lipidomics platform

Advanced technologies such as mass spectrometry coupled to gas or liquid chromatography allow the ICAN IHU to guarantee quantitative and ultra-sensitive analyses on hundreds of lipid species in various biological matrices.

“On the ICAN Omics lipidomics platform of the ICAN IHU, 450 lipid species are routinely measured, including > 230 glycerophospholipids, 70 sphingolipids and > 130 neutral lipids. These studies have led to dozens of publications in international peer-reviewed journals and several patent applications involving new disease biomarkers.”

Dr. Anatol Kontush, Scientific Director (UMR ICAN 1166).

Expertise and services

1. Complex profiling by LC-ESI-MS/MS

  • Glycerophospholipids (238): PC, LPC, PE, LPE, plasmalogen PE, PI, PG, LPG, BMP, PS, PA
  • Sphingolipids (70): Sphingomyelin (SM), ceramides, dihydroceramide (DHC), acylceramides
  • Neutral lipids (135): TAG, DAG, MAG, CE, cholesterol

2. Targeted approach for studies of specific metabolic pathways (LC-MS/MS and GC-EI/CI-MS)

  • Metabolites from the microbiota: stanols (coprostanol, epicoprostanol, ethylcoprostanol), bile acids (primary, secondary, conjugated)
  • Free fatty acids (FFA) (27 lipids): 15:0, 16:0, 16:1, 17:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 18:3 (w3 and w6), 20: 0, 20:1, 20:2, 20:3 (w3 and w6), 20:4, 20:5, 22:0, 22:1, 22:4, 22:6, 23:0, 24:0 , 24:1
  • Cholesterol synthesis pathway: squalene, lanosterol, desmosterol, lathosterol, cholesterol
  • Intestinal absorption markers: phytosterols (campesterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol), cholestanol

Matrices: Biofluids (plasma, serum, lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL HDL)), faeces, tissue (liver, adipose tissue, brain, heart, muscle), others (exosomes, mitochondria, cells, bacteria, etc.)

Equipment on the platform

  • GC-MS: Trace 1310/ISQ LT (ThermoFisherScientific)
  • LC-MS/MS: HPLC (Prominence Shimadzu)/ QTrap 4000 (AB Sciex)
  • Pre-analytical automaton LV200 (Biotage)
  • Precellys Evolution homogenizer (Ozyme),
  • Positive pressure manifold (Waters positive pressure manifold – 96)
  • SPD131DDA speed vacuum concentrator with cryogenic trap (Thermo Fisher Scientific).

Current developments

  • Sphingosines, sphingosine-1-phosphate
  • Oxysterols

Lipidomics Platform Interaction Radiation

  • Education: reference platform for the OMICS course of the Biomics master’s degree from Université Paris Est Créteil
  • Local networks: UMS RésOmique SU
  • National networks: MetaboHub, RFMF, Lipidomystes, INSERM Microbiota Consortium
  • International networks: ELM, MPF, metabomeeting, european regional metabolomics networks

Certificates

Team

Dr Marie Lhomme (IR, ICAN)

Operational manager

Dr Anatol Kontush (DR, UMR ICAN 1166)

Scientific Director

Dr Maharajah Ponnaiah (IR, ICAN)

data scientist

Sora Lecocq (Tech, ICAN)

Technician

Scientific Committee

Prof. F. Mochel (ICM)

Dr. F. Lamari (APHP)

Dr. G. I. Boneca (Pastor)

Dr F. Fenaille (CEA)

Dr W. Le Goff (UMR ICAN 1166)

Contact

47-48 hospital bd
75013 Paris
ICAN – building E3M – 6th floor

Access conditions

  • Download the form below and return to m.lhomme@ihuican.org
  • Your project will be submitted to the steering committee
  • After validation, estimate drawn up and project initiated

Download the form

Major Publications