High-Parameter Single-Cell Analysis

Thousands of transcripts and proteins confer function and discriminate cell types in the body. Using high-parameter technologies, we can now measure many of these markers at once, and multiple platforms are now capable of analysis on a cell-by-cell basis. Three high-parameter single-cell technologies have particular potential for discovering new biomarkers, revealing disease mechanisms, and increasing our fundamental understanding of cell biology. We review these three platforms (high-parameter flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and a new class of technologies called integrated molecular cytometry platforms) in this article. We describe the underlying hardware and instrumentation, the reagents involved, and the limitations and advantages of each platform. We also highlight the emerging field of high-parameter single-cell data analysis, providing an accessible overview of the data analysis process and choice of tools.