Spatial Lipidomics Service
While spatial metabolomics provides a broad view of all small-molecule metabolites within a tissue, Spatial Lipidomics zeroes in on one of the most structurally diverse and biologically critical classes of molecules: lipids. Lipids are not merely energy storage molecules; they are the fundamental building blocks of cellular membranes and potent signaling molecules that dictate cellular function, disease progression, and tissue architecture.
Because lipids possess unique biochemical properties, they require highly specialized extraction, matrix application, and ionization techniques distinct from general water-soluble metabolites. Our Spatial Lipidomics Service allows researchers to visualize the precise in situ distribution of lipid classes—such as phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycerolipids, and sterols—without losing the critical spatial context of the tissue microenvironment.
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Our Services
Comprehensive Lipid Profiling & Quantification
Whether you are exploring unknown tissue microenvironments or validating specific lipid targets, our core analytical workflows provide the exact depth of coverage your study requires:
- Spatial Untargeted Lipidomics Service: Broad-spectrum discovery mapping of hundreds of known and unknown lipid species, ideal for biomarker identification and hypothesis generation.
- Spatial Targeted Lipidomics Service: High-sensitivity, focused imaging of predefined lipid panels (e.g., ceramides, prostaglandins) to precisely validate your target molecules.
- Quantitative Spatial Lipidomics Service: Absolute quantification of localized lipid concentrations utilizing precise isotopic internal standards.
Advanced Spatial Imaging Platforms
We leverage industry-leading ionization technologies to match the spatial resolution and sample preservation needs of your specific tissue type:
- MALDI Imaging Lipidomics Service: High-throughput, highly sensitive lipid mapping utilizing matrix formulations specifically optimized for diverse lipid polarities.
- DESI-Based Lipid Imaging Service: Ambient ionization that requires minimal sample preparation, preserving delicate tissue integrity for downstream H&E or IHC staining.
- Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) High-Resolution Imaging Service: Ultra-high, sub-cellular to nanometer-scale resolution for mapping localized membrane and organelle lipid dynamics.
Bioinformatics & Disease Modeling
Transforming raw spatial maps into biologically and clinically meaningful insights is at the core of our data pipeline:
- Disease vs Normal Comparative Spatial Lipidomics: Robust statistical mapping that contrasts healthy and pathological tissues to identify spatially defined disease biomarkers.
- Lipid Metabolic Pathway Mapping Service: Seamless integration of spatial data with advanced bioinformatics to visualize active lipid biosynthesis and degradation pathways directly across the tissue architecture.
Workflow

Platform
We utilize a fleet of state-of-the-art mass spectrometry imaging platforms and software dedicated to lipidomic analysis:
- High-Resolution Mass Spectrometers: Orbitrap and TOF/TOF systems capable of distinguishing complex lipid isobars and isotopes.
- Imaging Sources: Advanced MALDI, DESI, and TOF-SIMS systems.
- Data Analysis Software: Industry-leading platforms and proprietary lipid databases to ensure accurate annotation of complex lipid species directly from tissue spectra.
Applications
- Neuroscience: Mapping white and gray matter lipid profiles, myelin sheath composition, and lipid alterations in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Oncology: Investigating the altered lipid metabolism of the tumor microenvironment, mapping hypoxic tumor cores, and identifying lipid-based therapeutic targets.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Highlighting the spatial distribution of cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, and oxidized lipids within atherosclerotic plaques.
- Pharmacology & Toxicology: Observing drug distribution and its localized phenotypic effect on tissue lipidomes to assess drug efficacy and toxicity.
Why Choose Us
- Multi-Modal Resolution: From ambient whole-organ DESI imaging to sub-cellular SIMS mapping, we tailor the spatial resolution to your specific biological question.
- Rigorous Spatial Quantification: We employ cutting-edge techniques for internal standard deposition, overcoming the "ion suppression" challenges common in complex lipid analysis.
- End-to-End Bioinformatics: We transform complex, terabyte-sized datasets into clear biological insights, providing pathway mapping and comparative statistical reports.
- Complimentary Consultation Service: We provide one-on-one, doctoral-level professional consultation, ensuring the delivery of accurate services.
FAQs
How does this service differ from your spatial metabolomics service?
Spatial metabolomics covers all small molecules (sugars, amino acids, nucleotides), often requiring different ionization polarities and matrices. Our Spatial Lipidomics Service uses highly specialized protocols optimized only for lipid extraction and ionization. Because lipids dominate cell membranes and dictate tissue architecture, this specialized focus yields a much deeper, more accurate coverage of lipid isomers and sub-classes that would be missed in a generalized metabolomics scan. Clients may select the appropriate service based on the specific requirements of their project.
What type of samples do you accept?
We highly recommend fresh-frozen, non-embedded tissue blocks. Please consult our technical team before shipping.
How long does a typical project take?
Standard turnaround time is typically 3 to 4 weeks from sample receipt to the delivery of the final report, depending on the number of samples and the complexity of the imaging resolution requested.
Learn about other Q&A.