Robert G. Parton1,2 and Kai Simons3,4 1Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia 2Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia 3Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden 01307, Germany 4Lipotype GmbH, Dresden 01307, Germany Correspondence: r.partonimb.uq.edu.au; simonsmpi-cbg.de

Lipids are the defining features of cellular membranes. They act collectively to form a variety of different structures, and understanding their complex behavior represents an early example of systems biology. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to analyse the functions of lipids in biological systems, and new work is providing fascinating insights into their roles in membrane biology, metabolism, signaling, subcellular dynamics and various disease processes.