Figure 1: A scheme of an experimental and analytical workflow in lipidomics studies from tissue or cells extractions. Samples are first homogenized in a bead beater to release lipids from tissue completely. After centrifugation, homogenates are separated into an aqueous supernatant for sugars, amino acids, nucleotides studies, and a pellet fraction for further organic phase lipid extraction. Lipid mixtures can be chromatographically separated by TLC, SPE, LC or GC and subsequently analysed by ESI, EI or MALSI MS for lipid detection either on line or off line. Two approaches, a global profiling and a targeted approach can be applied to elucidate comprehensive pictures of the “lipidome”. MALDI-TOF MS, Q-TOF LC MS/MS or Orbitrap LC-MS/MS platforms can be used for profiling. NL, MRM or SIM based scanning methods can now be used in GC-MS or LC-MS based workflows.