![](/getmedia/77885768-bacf-4343-a199-cf1bbac304ae/discoverbmb24-2000x350px.jpg?width=2000&height=350&ext=.jpg)
Lipids hold it all together
Arguably, life on this planet began in earnest with the appearance of lipid-like molecules that could encapsulate and concentrate the critical biochemical reactions that formed a primordial cell. This property of lipids to self-associate into the membranes that compartmentalize a cell and its organelles is indeed essential, but it’s just one aspect of the many and varied roles played by these versatile molecules. In addition to structural roles, lipids are integrated into signaling pathways that control such activities as cell survival, differentiation, motility and immune responses.
Submit an abstract
Abstract submission begins Sept. 14. If you submit by Oct. 12, you'll get a decision by Nov. 1. The regular submission deadline is Nov. 30. See the categories.
The eclectic functions of lipids are due to their structural diversity built into a common framework, resulting in hundreds of distinct species. It is the metabolism of lipids, their biosynthesis and degradation, that ultimately creates this diversity.
Our symposium at Discover BMB will highlight recent advances in lipid metabolism by exploring where and how lipids are made in cells, their contributions to cell survival and the impact of lipid diversity on cell and membrane function.
Keywords: Ferroptosis, lipid droplets, lipidomics, mitochondria, nucleus, plasma membrane.
Who should attend: The session will be attractive to those wanting an initiation to the field of lipid metabolism as well as those with a focused interest in specific topics.
Theme song: “Fat Dance” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, in appreciation of greasy molecules everywhere.
The session is powered by the seemingly endless and unexpected biological functions of lipids.
Lipid metabolism
Cellular topology of lipid metabolism
![](/getmedia/7ae86841-5b26-42db-85aa-2051a6caa53b/dbmb-education-480x480-1.png)
Neale Ridgway, Dalhousie University
Miriam Greenburg, Wayne State University
Greg Fairn, Dalhousie University
Shirin Bahmanyar, Yale University
Lipid quality control in cell survival and death
James Olzmann, University of California, Berkeley
G. Ekin Atilla–Gokcumen, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York
Toni Petan, Jozef Stefan Institute
Maria Fedorova, Technical University Dresden
Spatial lipidomics — tracing lipids in cells at the molecular level
Theodore Alexandrov, European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Kandice Levental, University of Virginia
Arun Radhakrishnan, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition monthly and the digital edition weekly.
Learn moreGet the latest from ASBMB Today
Enter your email address, and we’ll send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in Science
Science highlights or most popular articles
![The quest to treat and cure xerostomia](/getmedia/09045019-5c58-4434-9eb0-d6be609842cb/Xerostomia-thumb.jpg?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg)
The quest to treat and cure xerostomia
Blake Warner, chief of the Salivary Disorders Unit at the NIH talks about his lab’s efforts to develop treatments for dry mouth.
![There's more to blue cheese than just the stench](/getmedia/65d1751a-27b4-405b-9210-8cde34249ef5/More-to-blue-cheese-480x270.jpg?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg)
There's more to blue cheese than just the stench
Virginia Tech researchers discovered a way to synthesize a compound in the mold of blue cheese that has antibacterial and anticancer properties.
![Engineering cells to broadcast their behavior can help scientists study their inner workings](/getmedia/a5c8da38-1a39-4183-be72-85d5cbff8a29/Engeneering-cells-to-broadcast-480x270.jpg?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg)
Engineering cells to broadcast their behavior can help scientists study their inner workings
Researchers can use waves to transmit signals from the invisible processes and dynamics underlying how cells make decisions.
![From the journals: JBC](/getmedia/a3620094-c80e-41b9-91ab-22037b087112/FTJ-JBC-07-19-24-480x270.jpg?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg)
From the journals: JBC
Lung cancer cells resist ferroptosis. ORMDL3 in ulcerative colitis. Novel genetic variants in thyroid cancer. Read about these recent papers.
![Seeking the sweet spot to beat a pig parasite](/getmedia/30869767-881b-438b-9f19-531ef9eee79e/Pig-parasite-480x270.jpg?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg)
Seeking the sweet spot to beat a pig parasite
Researchers extracted, separated and tested glycans from the porcine whipworm in an effort to determine the best way to develop treatments and vaccines.
![Radioactive drugs strike cancer with precision](/getmedia/f3a6418b-340a-43cc-b53f-30916dbbd8f4/Radioactive-drugs-strike-cancer-480x270.jpg?width=480&height=270&ext=.jpg)
Radioactive drugs strike cancer with precision
The tumor-seeking radiopharmaceuticals are charting a new course in oncology, with promise for targeted treatments with fewer side effects.