Microfluidic device integrating single-cell extraction and electrical lysis for mass spectrometry detection of intracellular compounds

Analysis of cellular composition and metabolism at a single-cell resolution allows gaining more information about complex relationships of cells within tissues or whole living organisms by resolving the variance stemming from the cellular heterogeneity. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a perfect analytical tool satisfying the demanding requirements of detecting and identifying compounds present in such ultralow-volume samples of high chemical complexity. However, the method of sampling and sample ionization is crucial in obtaining relevant information. In this work, we present a microfluidic sampling platform that integrates single-cell extraction from MS-incompatible media with electrical cell lysis and nanoESI-MS analysis of human erythrocytes. Hemoglobin alpha and beta chains (300 amol/cell) were successfully identified in mass spectra of single-erythrocyte lysates.

Automated summary

Analysis of cellular composition and metabolism at a single-cell resolution is important for understanding complex relationships within tissues or organisms. Mass spectrometry (MS) is an ideal tool for detecting and identifying compounds in low-volume samples with high chemical complexity. This study presents a microfluidic sampling platform that allows single-cell extraction from MS-incompatible media and analysis of human erythrocytes using electrical cell lysis and nanoESI-MS. Hemoglobin alpha and beta chains were successfully identified in single-erythrocyte lysates.