- Fatty molecules called oxylipins play central roles in human health and disease but analysing them is technically difficult
- Almost 100 international experts developed recommendations to analyse oxylipins using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence’s Professor Corinne Spickett, Dr Irundika Dias and Dr Ivana Milic were amongst the experts consulted.
A group of almost 100 international experts, including three from Aston University, has developed recommendations for good practice in the analysis of oxylipins, fatty molecules which play central roles in human health and disease, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Analysing oxylipins to understand their roles in common diseases, including inflammation, cancer, dementia and cardiovascular disease, is rapidly gaining in interest worldwide, but presents particular technical challenges. The importance of these lipids for human health and disease is well-established. For example, preventing their formation is how common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin work.
The Oxylipin Analysis interest group of the International Lipidomics Society (ILS), led by Professors Valerie O’Donnell (Cardiff University, UK) and Nils Helge Schebb (University Wuppertal, Germany), has now completed an initiative where almost 100 researchers from more than 70 institutions developed detailed recommendations for oxylipin analysis.
Professor Corinne Spickett, Dr Irundika Dias and Dr Ivana Milic , who are all members of the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence, were amongst the experts consulted. They said:
“Researchers at Aston have been working on oxylipins and oxysterol analysis for more than 15 years and are delighted to have been part of this important international standards initiative through our European collaborations. We are applying these and similar approaches to measure specialised pro-resolving mediators and oxysterols in inflammatory conditions and wound healing.”
Oxylipins were first discovered in the 1930s, but the biological functions of many oxylipins are not yet fully understood. Therefore, it is essential for researchers to have access to robust analytical methods that allow for their sensitive and selective quantification.
Over the past two decades, the state-of-the-art techniques such as targeted liquid chromatography (LC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) were developed that enable the routine analysis of up to 200 individual molecular species in small quantities in a single analytical run. However, given the inherent complexity of oxylipin analysis, there is a need for sharing best practice and providing advice, particularly for researchers who are new to this field.
Valerie O’Donnell said:
“In response to a recognised need for expert guidance for oxylipin analysis, we were delighted with the input and feedback we had from such a large number of our colleagues worldwide.”
Nils Helge Schebb said:
“These recommendations now represent the benchmark for the field which we hope will lead to reproducible studies improving our understanding of the role of oxylipins in health and disease.”
Read the full article in Science Signaling - https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scisignal.adw1245
- Notes to editors
-
About Aston University
For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.
Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.
Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.
The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation continues to grow. It was recognised as the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025, is second in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Helen Tunnicliffe, Press and Communications Manager, on(+44) 7827 090240 or email:h.tunnicliffe@aston.ac.uk.
Be first to get the latest news, research and expert comment from Aston by following us on X.
Need an expert for your story? Browse our experts directory.