Ammonium bicarbonate trick enables sophisticated lipid analysis

A 3D illustration showing a plasma membrane

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Tandem mass spectrometry method can distinguish lipid isomers

Researchers have developed a tandem mass spectrometry-based workflow capable of characterising and quantifying phosphatidylcholines, a major class of mammalian lipids. Previously, this task has involved complex instrumental set-ups or chemistry. Now, scientists have found a way to achieve the same goal using only standard instruments by adding ammonium bicarbonate into the lipid mixture.