Lipidomic Analysis using Gas Chromatography

Nature’s biomolecules are classified into four major groups: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic Acids, and Lipids. Of these four, the lipid designation includes the most diverse and complex group, composed of fats (triacylglycerides), fatty acids, phospholipids, triglycerides, steroids, glycolipids, sphingolipids, and fat-soluble vitamins. The vast diversity in this grouping’s chemical structures leads to different biochemical and biophysical properties, culminating in the vast array of biological functions, which includes creation of cellular membranes, energy storage, and signaling pathways such as apoptosis and blood clotting. A disruption in the proper functioning of lipids in the body has been shown to lead to various disease, including cancer, neurological degeneration, diabetes, and liver diseases.

In contrast to the fields of genomics (nucleic acid characterization via PCR, cloning, microarray, next generation sequencing) and proteomics (protein characterization via mass spectrometry, proteolysis, 2D PAGE, immunoprecipitation) which gave a rapid rise to our understanding of the genome and proteome, lipidomics has developed more slowly, likely due to the lack of a distinguishable, repeating building block, preventing a quick sequencing of individual molecules.

Students joining this project will focus on analyzing lipids, in both a qualitative and quantitative manner. Initial studies will focus on the development of consistent and accurate techniques that can be applied to the diverse grouping termed lipids. Students will be involved in bench chemistry that includes lipid extraction, methylation, and purification, in order to generate samples for analysis via thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography (GC). The eventual aim of this project is to have methods available to reliably characterize the lipid environments of specific proteins, cells, and tissues, allowing the student to compare environments when biological conditions are altered—such as the development of cancer, expression of a new protein, alteration of cholesterol levels, or presence of specific drugs. 

Students joining this project will learn how to develop practical scientific curriculum and generate protocols appropriate for publication in a lab manual. These techniques will be applied to many different research programs already functioning on campus, allowing the student to participate in multi-discipline science and a chance to publish multiple articles over a vast array of topics. The student will also gain analytical instrumental skills, including calibrating and maintenance. 

• Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences Instrumentation Facility

• Students will need to read review articles or textbook sections selected by Dr. Paterson. 

lipids, bioseparations, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, biotechnology, clinical laboratory sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, biology