Single-cell mass spectrometry

Owing to recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS), tens to hundreds of proteins, lipids, and small molecules can be measured in single cells. The ability to characterize the molecular heterogeneity of individual cells is necessary to define the full assortment of cell subtypes and identify their function. We review single-cell MS including high-throughput, targeted, mass cytometry-based approaches and antibody-free methods for broad profiling of the proteome and metabolome of single cells. The advantages and disadvantages of different methods are discussed, as well as the challenges and opportunities for further improvements in single-cell MS. These methods is being used in biomedicine in several applications including revealing tumor heterogeneity and high-content drug screening.

Automated summary

Recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS) have allowed for the measurement of multiple molecules in single cells. This is crucial for understanding the molecular heterogeneity and function of individual cells. In this review, we discuss different methods of single-cell MS, including high-throughput, targeted, mass cytometry-based approaches, and antibody-free methods, for detailed profiling of the proteome and metabolome of single cells. We also explore the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and the challenges and opportunities for further improvements in single-cell MS. These methods have found applications in biomedical research, such as revealing tumor heterogeneity and conducting high-content drug screening.