Lipidomics Shared Resource Core

ABSTRACT Dysfunctional metabolism of bioactive lipids, including sphingolipids (SLs), contributes to the pathobiology of cancer development and progression, the study of which is the main goal for the three experimental projects in this PPG. The appreciation for the depth of complexity involved in SL metabolism and signaling has recently expanded into new technical challenges since: (i) the same species of SLs could act differently depending on the subcellular compartment, (ii) previously unappreciated structural variations in the SL molecule lead to specific biological responses, (iii) the measurement of SL network flux revealed key nodes in the regulation of different biological functions; and (iv) SL heterogeneity in tumor tissue is associated with specific pathological patterns. The Lipidomics Shared Resource Core (LSR Core) was created based on the unique expertise of the key personnel in lipid chemistry, analysis, and metabolism to support the study of SLs, with the flexibility to create new methods and protocols required to adapt to the new questions. The Core services include: 1) qualitative and quantitative analysis of more than 600 targeted lipid components from different biological materials (cells, tissue, and biological fluids), primarily employing high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) technology; 2) Targeted and untargeted Imaging of lipids on tissue sections, spheroids and cultured cells using cutting-edge MALDI technology; 3) development of biochemical tools to study lipid metabolism (e.g. plasma membrane ceramide detection method, SL Flux Analysis utilizing a Pulse-Chase of non-natural C17-SLs, functionalized and fluorescent ceramides); and 4) assisting PPG investigators in experimental design, method development, data analysis, and support in data sharing. The LSR Core has been instrumental to the success of the PPG investigators over the past 19 years by providing them with unique capabilities and critical results that will continue to ensure the successful progress of this PPG.