Abstract

Lipids are key biomolecules. The term refers to membrane components and signals but often to sterols and energy-storing triglycerides. As membrane components, they have a role in keeping the cell together—a challenge when the membrane is being expanded, bent and divided as in the cell cycle. As energy stores, they are useful to us. However, when components of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) become oxidised, they can cause atherosclerosis. In these talks, the speakers will describe how magnetic resonance is used to characterise biosystems on two scales. At the molecular level, it is used to tell us which lipids are present and their orientation. This can be used to characterise the lipid fraction through the cell cycle. On a bigger scale, it is used to image lesions in vessel walls, inform decisions for treatment programmes and assess clinical management strategies. The application of magnetic resonance in these contrasting ways emphasises the remarkable power of this technique.