Strategy for functional profiling of SPM in resolving exudates. (A) During self-limited inflammation, murine exudates (a “good and laudable” pus according to ancient physicians; Majno, ) as well as human leukocytes biosynthesize SPM, which include the lipoxins, E-series resolvins, D-series resolvins, protectins (neuroprotectin D1), and maresins, which work to keep the inflammatory response within physiological boundaries and help to expedite the return to homeostasis. Functional profiling takes advantage of liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectrometry-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-UV-MS/MS) for identifying and quantifying SPM. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is also useful to provide additional information together with LC-UV-MS/MS to support structural identification and proposed structures. Retrograde analysis with biogenic synthesis using isolated human cells and total organic synthesis allows the assignment of chirality and double bond geometries using H-NMR with synthetic materials and matching studies (see text; Fiore et al., ; Serhan et al., , , , ; Sun et al., ; Spite et al., ; Krishnamoorthy et al., for details). Bioactions of SPM are assessed in both animal models and human cell systems. They must be stereoselective and evident at concentrations/doses that are commensurate with the amount of SPM produced. (B) Example of RvD1 stereoselective total organic synthesis (reported in Sun et al., ); for further details (see Serhan and Petasis, ) for a recent review of organic synthesis.