Tissue Lipid Analysis via Paternò-Büchi MS for C=C Isomers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods face challenges in simultaneously identifying and quantifying lipid C=C isomers, especially from complex mixtures, due to isomeric and isobaric lipids appearing as a single peak in mass spectrometry, which hinders detailed composition analysis.

Innovation Solution

A method combining Paternó-Büchi reactions with tandem mass spectrometry is employed to target carbon-carbon double bonds in lipids or fatty acids, producing isomers that are then analyzed and quantified, allowing for the differentiation of normal and cancerous tissues based on isomeric compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mass spectrometry is used for lipid profiling, then sensitivity and specificity are improved, but isomeric and isobaric lipids appear as a single peak making detailed composition analysis difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidisomer differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an ozone intermediary that reacts with carbon-carbon double bonds in unsaturated lipids to form ozonides. This intermediary step converts isomeric lipids into distinct ozonide products that can be differentiated by mass spectrometry, thereby resolving the information loss about isomer composition while maintaining the sensitivity and specificity of MS detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical state of the lipids by performing ozonolysis reaction, transforming unsaturated lipids into ozonide derivatives. This parameter change (chemical transformation) modifies the mass-to-charge ratio and fragmentation patterns of the molecules, enabling mass spectrometry to distinguish between isomeric forms that previously appeared identical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If chromatography methods (GC or LC) are used for lipid quantitation, then detailed composition information is obtained, but sample preparation becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition analysisVSAvoidsample preparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential functional information (carbon-carbon double bond presence and position) through a rapid chemical reaction with ozone, eliminating the need for complex chromatographic separation. This extraction of key diagnostic information allows direct mass spectrometric analysis without time-consuming sample preparation steps while still providing detailed composition data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical separation process of chromatography with a chemical reaction approach. Instead of physically separating lipids based on their properties through columns and solvents, the method uses chemical transformation (ozonolysis) to create distinguishable molecular signatures that can be analyzed directly by mass spectrometry, dramatically reducing preparation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables global characterization and quantitation of lipid C=C isomers, providing accurate quantitation for advanced biological studies and distinguishing between normal and cancerous tissues.

Implementation Method 1

conducting a Paternò-Büchi reaction on the in vitro tissue sample that targets a carbon-carbon double bond within the lipid or fatty acid to thereby produce a plurality of lipid or fatty acid isomers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPaternò-Büchi reaction: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

subjecting the plurality of lipid or fatty acid isomers to tandem mass spectrometry analysis to identify a location of the carbon-carbon double bond within the lipid or fatty acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMass spectrometry:

Data Source

PatentEP3304033B1Methods for analyzing a tissue sample
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 PURDUE RES FOUND
  • EP3304033B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3304033B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1E
  • EP3304033B1 patent drawingFigure 1F~1H

AI summary

The invention generally relates to methods for analyzing a tissue sample. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve obtaining a tissue sample including an unsaturated compound, conducting a radical reaction on the tissue sample that targets a carbon- carbon double bond within the unsaturated compound to thereby produce a plurality of compound isomers, subjecting the plurality of compound isomers to mass spectrometry analysis to identify a location of the carbon-carbon double bond within the unsaturated compound, and quantifying the plurality of compound isomers in order to distinguish normal tissue from diseased tissue.