Enhancing Lipidomics With High-Resolution Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry.

Abstract

Lipids, indispensable yet structurally intricate biomolecules, serve as critical regulators of cellular function and disease progression. Conventional lipidomics, constrained by limited resolution for isomeric and low-abundance species, has been transformed by ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS). This technology augments analytical power through enhanced orthogonal separation, collision cross-section (CCS)-based identification, and improved sensitivity. This review examines the transformative advances in IM-MS-driven lipidomics, focusing on three major pillars: (1) a critical evaluation of leading ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) platforms, emphasizing innovative instrument geometries and breakthroughs in resolving lipid isomers; (2) an exploration of lipid CCS databases and predictive frameworks, spotlighting computational modeling and machine learning strategies that synergize experimental data with molecular representations for high-confidence lipid annotation; (3) emerging multi-dimensional lipidomics workflows integrating CCS with liquid chromatography-MS/MS to boost identification and depth, alongside mass spectrometry imaging for spatially resolved lipidomics. By unifying cutting-edge instrumentation, computational advances, and biological insights, this review outlines a roadmap for leveraging IM-MS to unravel lipidome complexity, catalyzing biomarker discovery and precision medicine innovation.