The objective of the course is to introduce the participants to practical applications in lipid biochemistry, lipid nutrition, biotechnology and advanced lipid analytical methods through lectures and laboratory experiments. The following areas will be covered: modification of lipids and lipid processing, lipid metabolism, lipid oxidation and antioxidants, and different lipid analytical methods including methods for analysis of lipophilic contaminants

• Perform experiments in one of the four themes (1) lipid metabolism, 2) lipid modification, 3) lipid applications and oxidation and 4) lipid contaminants)
• Understand the reading materials for an experiment and perform the experiment in accordance herewith
• Evaluate and interprete the experimental findings
• Present the experimental findings in an understandable way
• Describe the enzymatic process of the production of structured lipids
• Describe how fatty acids are incorporated into different tissues
• Select the critical techniques for the analysis of lipids
• Describe the challenges related to applications of omega-3 fatty acids in foods and how the challenges can be overcome
• Describe the analysis of lipophilic contaminants
• Understand the process of risk assessment of novel fats
• Organize collaboration in a heterogenous group

The course will include 2 ½ days seminar covering advanced lipid biochemistry, technology, applications and analysis as well as an introduction to lipid related chemical contaminants and compounds introduced during processing. Principles for risk-assessment and setting of maximum residue-levels will also be introduced. The presentations will be given by the course organisers as well as invited guest speakers from universities and industry. The course will also include experimental work in 4 modules on 1) lipid metabolism, 2) lipid modification, 3) lipid applications and oxidation and 4) lipid contaminants. For the lipid modification module, enzymatic processing of structured lipids in enzyme reactors will be conducted. For the lipid application and oxidation module, the possibilities of using omega-3 PUFA in selected food systems will be exemplified including evaluation of oxidative stability. Head-space GC/MS will be conducted to evaluate the volatiles. For the lipid metabolism module, the use of radioactive tracers is illustrated by performing an experiment on fatty acid metabolism in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Distribution of radioactivity is analyzed using TLC and a TLC-radioscanner. As part of the experiment, the fatty acid composition in PL-classes in PBMCs will also be analyzed using standard methods (TLC, GC-FID). For the analysis of lipid contaminants, principles on extraction (e.g. PLE) and detection (e.g. GC-MS) techniques will be illustrated.

Each participant will be asked to select one experimental module among the four topics mentioned above. Moreover, the participants will have to solve a theoretical problem related to the experimental module. The solution to the problem will be presented to the rest of the participants on the last day of the course. Finally, the course will also include a seminar from the participants, who will present their own PhD studies.