Outcomes and future activities of the 'Pan-European network in Lipidomics and EpiLipidomics - EpiLipidNET'.

Julia Kuligowski, Justine Bertrand-Michel, Amaury Cazenave-Gassiot, Laura Goracci, Pedro Domingues, Matej Orešič, Margret Thorsteinsdottir, Florian Gruber, Egon L Willighagen, Corinne M Spickett, Tatjana Ruskovska, Valerie B O'Donnell, Patricia Prabutzki, Snježana Petrović, Joanna Godzien, Sara Tortorella, Ana Reis, Irundika H K Dias, Guy Schleyer, Rosário Domingues, Maria Fedorova

Journal: Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society 2026;22(2):

PMID: 41813872

View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Lipidomics and its branch epilipidomics are rapidly advancing fields that explore the roles of native and modified lipids (e.g., oxidized, nitrated and halogenated lipid species), respectively, in biological systems. Dysregulation of lipid metabolism and signaling contributes to numerous diseases, including cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory conditions. However, multiple challenges, including lack of standardization, limited data integration, and poor clinical translation, hinder progress. To address these, the COST Action EpiLipidNET (CA19105) established a pan-European network fostering collaboration across disciplines to accelerate lipid science and its application to health and disease.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review outlines the achievements of EpiLipidNET over its four-year duration, highlights key scientific contributions across five thematic working groups, and presents the future direction of its ongoing activities. The aim is to demonstrate how a collaborative, interdisciplinary framework can catalyze innovation in lipidomics and epilipidomics, enhance methodological harmonization, support early-career researchers, and bridge the gap between basic science, clinical translation, industry, stakeholders, and public engagement.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

EpiLipidNET structured its networking activities around (i) harmonization of analytical workflows, (ii) development of epilipidomics tools and data integration strategies, (iii) translational studies for clinical lipid biomarkers, (iv) investigation of lipid signaling mechanisms, and (v) dissemination and outreach. The network supported over 460 members globally, launched multiple training schools and scientific missions, produced 110+ publications, and fostered new initiatives in endothelial membrane lipidomics, food lipidomics, plant and algae lipids, and redox lipid biology. Its integrative approach sets a foundation for continued progress toward precision medicine and sustainable health interventions through lipid science.

Address: Spanish Network in Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Developmental Health Research (RICORS- SAMID) (RD24/0013/0014), Neonatal Research Group, Health Research Institute La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Valencia, 46026, Spain. [email protected].; Servicio de Análisis de Vesículas Extracelulares (SAVE), Health Research Institute La Fe, Avda Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain. [email protected].; MetaboHUB-MetaToul, National Infrastructure of Metabolomics and Fluxomics, 31077, Toulouse, France.; Université de Toulouse, Inserm, I2MC, 31 432, Toulouse, France.; Department of Biochemistry and Precision Medicine TRP, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117456, Singapore.; DAISY Lab, Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via dell' Elce di Sotto 8, Perugia, 06123, Italy.; Mass Spectrometry Center, Department of Chemistry, LAQV-REQUIMTE, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal.; School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.; Turku Bioscience Centre, Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, 102 , Reykjavik, Iceland.; Department of Dermatology, CDL SKINMAGINE, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna, 1090, Austria.; Department of Translational Genomics, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.; Aston University & Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.; Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delcev University, Krste Misirkov, 10A, 2000, Stip, 2000, North Macedonia.; Systems Immunity Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK.; Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging Institute (M4i), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.; Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 4, 11129, Belgrade, Serbia.; Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory, Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 24 A, 15-276 Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.; Mass Analytica SL, Av. Cerdanyola 92-94, 08173, Sant Cugat del Vallés, Spain.; REQUIMTE, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.; Medical School, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.; Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Texel, The Netherlands.; Mass Spectrometry Center, Department of Chemistry, LAQV-REQUIMTE, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal. [email protected].; Department of Chemistry, CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. [email protected].; Center of Membrane Biochemistry and Lipid Research, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307, Dresden, Germany. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1007/s11306-026-02396-7

MeSH Terms: Lipidomics, Humans, Lipid Metabolism, Metabolomics, Europe