Shimadzu Corporation and the University of Tokyo Sign Joint Research Agreement to Develop Lipidomic Technology for Biomarker Discovery

Shimadzu Corporation and the University of Tokyo signed a joint research agreement on 6th July to develop technology for the comprehensive analysis of functional, membrane, and other lipids for the purpose of discovering biomarkers for

various diseases, such as lifestyle-related diseases.

Shimadzu Corporation, the University of Tokyo, and Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd jointly established a sponsored laboratory, the Department of Lipidomics in the Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, starting from 1 April, this year. The purpose of this department is to systematically and comprehensively analyse low molecular weight compounds, such as bioactive and membrane lipids, as the next area of research following genomics and proteomics.

This agreement specifies a research term for the Department of Lipidomics, which extends until 31 March, 2014. During this term, Shimadzu Corporation and the University of Tokyo will jointly research topics such as the development of a biological sample pretreatment system and a comprehensive method for analysing lipids, and apply these to

the discovery of lipid biomarkers. In addition, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo will provide help with the joint course.

Lipids have been considered difficult to analyse in a comprehensive manner, but due to advances in mass spectrometers, there has been rapid progress in this field. Lipids include compounds such as prostaglandins and

leukotrienes, which are bioactive, and compounds that are deeply involved in diseases. By participating in this joint research, Shimadzu Corporation aims to develop instruments and software better tailored to the needs of research laboratories and contribute to pathological analysis and the development of basic technology for drug discovery.