Metabolites
The study of small molecules in biological systems
What is metabolomics?
Non-polar small molecules comprised of a polar head-group and non-polar fatty acid chain in biological systems. They are major components of cell membranes
What are lipids?
Up to 2000 Da
What is the general mass range of "small molecules"; i.e., metabolites and lipids?
Small molecules (metabolites and lipids) are extremely diverse in size and shape. This means that they need multiple chromatographic approaches to separate them.
What makes chromatographic analysis of metabolites and lipids challenging?
Small molecules (metabolites and lipids) often have the same molecular weight but different shapes (isomers). Sometimes, their molecular composition is different but the molecular weights are very similar (isobars).
What makes mass spectrometry analysis of metabolites and lipids challenging?
Reversed-phase, HILIC, IC, and GC.
What types of chromatography are applied in metabolomics and lipidomics?