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Lipids for Therapeutics and Research

Abstract illustration of lipids’ hydrophilic tails projecting inwards and polar head groups projecting outwards to form cell membrane.

Lipids and their metabolism play a crucial role in the physiology of cells, tissues and organs. Lipids are a diverse group of hydrophobic or amphiphilic compounds that are soluble in nonpolar organic solvents and insoluble in water. There are eight major categories of lipids based on their physical properties, such as solubility and polarity: fatty acids and acyls, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids (GPLs), sphingolipids, sterols, prenols saccharolipids, and polyketides. These molecules provide structure to cellular membranes, store energy, and are vital in cell signaling and in regulating cell functions.

Many inherited metabolic diseases are caused by defects in lipid metabolism. Lipid metabolism disorders often result from a harmful accumulation of unusual lipids in the blood and tissues of affected patients that can lead to damage in cells. The correct identification of these lipids is vital for proper diagnosis and treatment. Lipidomics research, a sub-discipline of metabolomics research, involves lipid profiling, identification and quantification within a biological source, and their interactions with other cellular components. Typical quantitative lipid analysis methods include high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Promising therapeutic approaches are being developed with our wide range of lipids, such as for mrna vaccine. We support rapid advances in lipidomics pathway analysis and lipid applications along the entire lipidomics workflow - from sample collection, storage and extraction to analytical calibration, analysis and data processing. Based on LIPID MAPS classifications, browse our extensive listing of products for steroids, prostaglandins, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and oils.

Lipids in Cell Culture

Lipids, such as cholesterol, can be used to supplement cell culture media where animal-derived components must be avoided. Cholesterol that is formulated with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin demonstrates enhanced solubility in water, a property necessary for the inclusion of cholesterol as a medium supplement. We are the only commercial supplier of synthetic cholesterol, and also offer a mixture of fatty acids for the optimization of CHO cell growth in serum-free medium.