The human lipidome is made of thousands of lipid molecules. Their different chemical structures exert a variety of biological functions including energy production, membrane structural scaffold, sorting and regulation of membrane proteins, cellular signaling, and vesicle trafficking. Not surprisingly, quantitative and/or qualitative alteration of lipid composition can lead to a wide spectrum of human pathologies, ranging from cancer to metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Beside the biological functions, an interdisciplinary approach could figure how lipid composition can be manipulated for novel therapies. Hence, elucidating the multifaceted roles of lipids in physiology and their various dysregulations in pathology requires firstly mapping the exact lipid composition of tissues, cells, organelles, their membranes, and how it could change in time; secondly, a thorough understanding of the physical properties of lipids in biomembranes; finally, the functional characterization of the partners interacting with lipids, including enzymes, transporters, and transcription factors, for bringing the keys to decipher molecular mechanisms leading the diseases.
The study of lipids, i.e. lipidomics, is a relatively young and interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to understand the biological roles of lipids. Notably, the recent success of the field also calls for increased analytical standardization, especially in the quantification of individual lipid species. Although largely based on mass spectrometry, lipid research is far from being limited to an array of analytical techniques to elucidate lipid composition. Several experimental approaches have been set up to rule out lipid biological function and its relevance to human diseases and metabolic disorders. Without the presumption of being a complete account, this article collection has the scope to provide scientists approaching lipid studies with an array of multidisciplinary exemplars on how to dissect lipid function in health and disease. These recent studies will delineate successful strategies to characterize lipid molecules and their interacting partners to provide mechanistic insights into the role of lipids in physiological and pathophysiological states.
To offer examples of successful strategies for dissecting the multifaceted roles of lipids in physiology and pathology, the authors are welcome to submit original articles or reviews addressing advances in the following aspects of lipid biology:
• Lipids in functional membrane domains and membrane processes
• Lipid regulation of homeostatic processes including metabolism
• Lipid engaging receptors or regulating protein function including protein lipidation
• Lipids in immunity / cell signaling / cell recognition
• Lessons from inborn error of lipid metabolism
• Brain lipids and how they change in neurodegenerative diseases
• New technologies in lipid analysis and multi-omics approaches
• Oxidized lipids and their possible roles
Note: The Guest Editors encourage interested individuals or groups to submit an abstract before submitting their manuscript. Abstract submission deadline: 26 February 2021.
The human lipidome is made of thousands of lipid molecules. Their different chemical structures exert a variety of biological functions including energy production, membrane structural scaffold, sorting and regulation of membrane proteins, cellular signaling, and vesicle trafficking. Not surprisingly, quantitative and/or qualitative alteration of lipid composition can lead to a wide spectrum of human pathologies, ranging from cancer to metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Beside the biological functions, an interdisciplinary approach could figure how lipid composition can be manipulated for novel therapies. Hence, elucidating the multifaceted roles of lipids in physiology and their various dysregulations in pathology requires firstly mapping the exact lipid composition of tissues, cells, organelles, their membranes, and how it could change in time; secondly, a thorough understanding of the physical properties of lipids in biomembranes; finally, the functional characterization of the partners interacting with lipids, including enzymes, transporters, and transcription factors, for bringing the keys to decipher molecular mechanisms leading the diseases.
The study of lipids, i.e. lipidomics, is a relatively young and interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to understand the biological roles of lipids. Notably, the recent success of the field also calls for increased analytical standardization, especially in the quantification of individual lipid species. Although largely based on mass spectrometry, lipid research is far from being limited to an array of analytical techniques to elucidate lipid composition. Several experimental approaches have been set up to rule out lipid biological function and its relevance to human diseases and metabolic disorders. Without the presumption of being a complete account, this article collection has the scope to provide scientists approaching lipid studies with an array of multidisciplinary exemplars on how to dissect lipid function in health and disease. These recent studies will delineate successful strategies to characterize lipid molecules and their interacting partners to provide mechanistic insights into the role of lipids in physiological and pathophysiological states.
To offer examples of successful strategies for dissecting the multifaceted roles of lipids in physiology and pathology, the authors are welcome to submit original articles or reviews addressing advances in the following aspects of lipid biology:
• Lipids in functional membrane domains and membrane processes
• Lipid regulation of homeostatic processes including metabolism
• Lipid engaging receptors or regulating protein function including protein lipidation
• Lipids in immunity / cell signaling / cell recognition
• Lessons from inborn error of lipid metabolism
• Brain lipids and how they change in neurodegenerative diseases
• New technologies in lipid analysis and multi-omics approaches
• Oxidized lipids and their possible roles
Note: The Guest Editors encourage interested individuals or groups to submit an abstract before submitting their manuscript. Abstract submission deadline: 26 February 2021.
