Since 2000, it has been published by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

In its aim and scope, the journal "aims to be on the forefront of the emerging areas of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics as they relate to lipid metabolism and function."

As of February 1, 2019, its editors-in-chief are Kerry-Anne Rye and Nick Davidson.

[3] The journal was established in response to the lack of published methodologies in lipid research as perceived by Edward H. Ahrens, Jr., Donald Zilversmit, and others, who founded Lipid Research Inc. to publish the journal.

[4] Prior to its current home at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the journal was based at Rockefeller University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.