The development of new synthetic reporter lipids is critical in our continued pursuit to understand the intricacies of complex lipid physical and biological properties. Reporter functionalized lipids include, but are not limited to, fluorescently labeled lipids, electron paramagnetic probe-labeled lipids, and MRI lipids. Other functionalized lipids include those synthetic lipids (e.g., polyethylene glycolated lipids) used for drug delivery and gene transfection. Although these functionalized lipids are important reagents in the lipid biochemist's toolbox, the investigator must also consider that the employed functionalized lipid may not always necessarily mimic the natural lipid of interest.
