Roughly ten percent of total global biomass consists of membrane and storage lipids. MLCCS is dedicated to the advancement of fundamental knowledge and applications of lipidomics, the science of lipids. Membrane lipids, like DNA, have a code describing their essential structure-function in cells. Hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces and ionic bonds forge lipids into precise surface structures enabling critical biochemical processes ranging from bioenergetics and cell signaling to protection against stresses. Membranes lipids have the power of life or death over organisms including humans and are linked to catastrophic diseases and ailments of aging. Membranes also play central roles in the ecological health of earth in helping balance the great natural cycles of matter and likely contribute to cycles of global warming.

The biological oil industry is a multi-billion dollar enterprise highlighted by food oils including butter, margarine, olive oil, canola oil and other vegetable oils. Omega-3 fatty acids are a growing industry and are approaching the billion-dollar mark when considering the added value of “fish oil” in sales of seafood. This value might increase if the benefits of omega-3s were understood at the molecular level (see Omega-3 books). Understanding the molecular roles played by membrane lipids might also open up new horizons for applications. We suggest that this field is approaching a tipping point.

The largest market seems to be in the health arena, specifically towards management and treatment of age-dependent diseases and ailments of aging. Important spinout applications are predicted in agriculture where we expect that tailor-made membranes will improve and protect crop yields. The same strategies can be harnessed by industry for improving yields of biologically produce products including biofuels as well as higher value products. We seek interaction with the private sector to identify innovative solutions through the lens of modern lipidomics. To this end, the MLCCS relies on the prior experience of RCV, who has founded the plant biotechnology company Calgene, pioneering in the late 1970s the concept and early stages of development of “round-up ready” crop plants.