Development and Evaluation of Innovative Stationary Phases for Separation of Pharmaceuticals, Metabolites and Biocompounds

Biofluids are typical complex matrices representing a source of potential biomarkers, but often require high demands in sample preparation prior to analysis. With this purpose, several techniques have been developed including solid phase extraction and methods based on the molecular recognition, such as immuno-affinity sorbents and molecularly imprinted polymers. Lipidomics is a research field in which it is needed to develop efficient techniques for sample pre-treatment in order to obtain reliable and reproducible results. Lipids are involved in many processes, as cellular structures, signaling, within the cell and between cells, and energy storage. Because of the role of lipids and all their functions, the field of Lipidomics is emerging with the focus on identifying alterations in lipids metabolism and lipid-mediated signalling processes that regulate cellular homeostasis and trying to understand the relationship between these processes in health and disease (Han & Gross, 2003). .. [edited by the Author]