Concept
How NExTLi enables mechanistic lipid biology through integrated structural, spatial, and dynamic analysis.
NExTLi is a coordinated Dutch research infrastructure for in-depth lipidomics that enables structurally resolved, spatially anchored, and metabolically informed analysis of lipids across biological systems. By integrating advanced analytical capabilities within a single workflow, NExTLi provides the analytical foundation required for mechanistic investigation of lipid biology — from molecular composition and spatial organization to metabolic dynamics.
The gap NExTLi addresses
- Lipid structural diversity and isomeric complexity exceed what conventional profiling can resolve
- Lipid composition is context-dependent across cells, compartments, and tissues — but spatial and molecular analysis remain disconnected
- Static abundance measurements miss metabolic dynamics: synthesis, remodeling, and turnover
- These capabilities exist in leading Dutch labs but operate independently, without coordinated workflows or shared standards
What “in-depth lipidomics” means here
Not just more features. The focus is on molecular confidence, biological context, and mechanistic insight.
- Structural resolution: molecular species-level annotation, with isomer discrimination and pathway-specific modifications when required
- Spatial context: lipid measurements anchored to defined cells, tissue regions, and subcellular compartments through imaging-guided and MSI-informed sampling
- Metabolic dynamics: tracer-based fluxomics quantifying lipid synthesis, remodeling, and turnover — not just static snapshots
- Low-input capability: methods validated for single cells, small cell populations, laser-captured regions, and organelle-enriched fractions
How NExTLi operates
- Intake: research question, samples, constraints, desired outputs
- Expert-guided design: structural / spatial / flux strategy, including low-input feasibility assessment
- Standardized measurement: processing, QC, and documentation
- Interpretation: expert-supported analysis with pathway context and biological confidence
- FAIR packaging: data delivery via the NExTLi Data & Analysis Portal for reuse and integration
What you receive
Standardized, annotated datasets
Quantitative outputs with annotation confidence metadata, QC evidence, and full method documentation — so results remain interpretable and comparable beyond the original project.
Expert-guided interpretation
Pre- and post-experimental support including study design, pathway context, and manuscript-level guidance on methods, interpretation, and discussion.
FAIR-by-design data packages
Structured for reuse, integration, and repository deposition via the NExTLi Data & Analysis Portal — with standardized metadata, provenance tracking, and interoperability with national data ecosystems.