Annual Meeting

Lipids hold it all together

Learn about the Discover BMB 2024 symposium on lipid metabolism
Maria Fedorova Neale Ridgway
By Maria Fedorova and Neale Ridgway
Sept. 13, 2023

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

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 four times a year and the digital edition monthly.

Learn more
Maria Fedorova
Maria Fedorova

Maria Fedorova is a group leader at the Center of Membrane Biochemistry and Lipid Research at Technical University Dresden.

Neale Ridgway
Neale Ridgway

Neale Ridgway is a professor at Dalhousie University.

Get 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

ApoA1 reduce atherosclerotic plaques via cell death pathway
Journal News

ApoA1 reduce atherosclerotic plaques via cell death pathway

Oct. 1, 2025

Researchers show that ApoA1, a key HDL protein, helps reduce plaque and necrotic core formation in atherosclerosis by modulating Bim-driven macrophage death. The findings reveal new insights into how ApoA1 protects against heart disease.

Omega-3 lowers inflammation, blood pressure in obese adults
Journal News

Omega-3 lowers inflammation, blood pressure in obese adults

Oct. 1, 2025

A randomized study shows omega-3 supplements reduce proinflammatory chemokines and lower blood pressure in obese adults, furthering the understanding of how to modulate cardiovascular disease risk.

AI unlocks the hidden grammar of gene regulation
Feature

AI unlocks the hidden grammar of gene regulation

Sept. 30, 2025

Using fruit flies and artificial intelligence, Julia Zeitlinger’s lab is decoding genome patterns — revealing how transcription factors and nucleosomes control gene expression, pushing biology toward faster, more precise discoveries.

Zebrafish model links low omega-3s to eye abnormalities
Journal News

Zebrafish model links low omega-3s to eye abnormalities

Sept. 24, 2025

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz developed a zebrafish model to show that low maternal docosahexaenoic acid can disrupt embryo eye development and immune gene expression, offering a tool to study nutrition in neurodevelopment.

Top reviewers at ASBMB journals
Observance

Top reviewers at ASBMB journals

Sept. 19, 2025

Editors recognize the heavy-lifters and rising stars during Peer Review Week.

Teaching AI to listen
Essay

Teaching AI to listen

Sept. 18, 2025

A computational medicine graduate student reflects on building natural language processing tools that extract meaning from messy clinical notes — transforming how we identify genetic risk while redefining what it means to listen in science.