LIPID MAPS is a biomedical resource that provides access to a large number of globally used databases and tools for lipid research. LIPID MAPS has internationally led the field of lipid curation, classification, and nomenclature since 2003. We support open-access databases, tools and lipidomics-focused training activities for researchers studying lipids in health, disease, and wider biology.

The LIPID MAPS classification system, nomenclature, and structural drawing conventions are community standards adopted by researchers and journals worldwide. Lipid structures are represented as MOL files and stored with SMILES, InChI and InChIKey representations (community interoperability standards). Extensive metadata with curated lipids includes systematic names, synonyms, exact mass, and qualified references to other metadata in line with the FAIR principles.

LIPID MAPS currently contains over 1.2M entries across all our databases at the end of 2023. The service hosts numerous tutorials, webinars, podcasts, and other educational resources for the community.