Lipid metabolites, beyond triglycerides and cholesterol, have been shown to have vast potential for applications in clinical applications, with substantial societal and economical value. To successfully evolve from the current research-grade methods to assays suitable for routine clinical applications, a harmonization - if not standardization - of these mass spectrometry-based workflows is necessary. Input on clinical needs and technological capabilities must be obtained from all relevant stakeholders, including wet lab scientists, informaticians and data scientists, manufacturers, and medical professionals. In order to build bridges between this diverse group of professionals, the International Lipidomics Society and its Clinical Lipidomics Interest Group were created. This opinion article is intended to provide an overview of international efforts to tackle the issues of workflow harmonization, and to serve as an open invitation for others to join this growing community.

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Melbourne Victoria Australia

Department of Analytical Chemistry Faculty of Chemical Technology University of Pardubice Pardubice Czech Republic

Institute for Laboratory Medicine in the Munich University Clinic Munich Germany

Lipidomics Consulting Ltd Esbo Finland

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Dresden Germany

Singapore Lipidomics Incubator Life Sciences Institute National University of Singapore Singapore

Spectroswiss Sarl Lausanne Switzerland

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