Lipids play an essential role in cell signaling and subcellular structure. Systematic analysis of the total lipid structure of a cell or organism, the lipodome, can reveal novel avenues of therapeutic intervention and diagnosis. This analysis is best modeled after the lessons learned from proteomics. With contributions from pioneering researchers from the US, Europe, Canada, Japan, and China, Functional Lipidomics introduces lipidomics, explores the current state of the field, and provides a comprehensive background for future groundbreaking work in this burgeoning field. The first book dedicated to the topic, Functional Lipidomics first defines and introduces the field before delving deeply into the methods, processes, analyses, and research aspects. The book uncovers the biosynthesis, metabolism, and function of fatty acids, acylglyerols, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, terpenes, and lipids that complex with proteins. Taking both academic and industrial perspectives, the contributors elaborate upon cutting-edge approaches to lipid analysis, diagnostic approaches using lipid and lipid-binding protein patterns, and the therapeutic significance of targeting proteins involved with the lipid signaling pathway.

Functional Lipidomics elucidates state-of-the-art strategies and techniques that enable us to understand biochemical patterns related to disease states, develop new targets for drug design, and identify important markers of a developmental stage, pathological condition, or disease treatment.