Single-cell analysis

In classical bulk analysis of cells only an average concentration of millions of cells is measured. This procedure does not take into account the natural heterogeneity of cell populations. Heterogeneities do not only appear in different cell populations (e.g. yeast, bacteria, mammalian cells), but also between cells from the same lineage, where all cells originate from the same mother cell. Single cell analysis offers the opportunity to determine these differences between cells and to get a deeper understanding of cellular mechanisms. Until now, the analysis of DNA/RNA and the measurement of fluorescent labelled cells (e.g. FACS) are the mostly used methods in single cell analysis. Another possibility is the use of mass spectrometry for the measurement of single cells. In our working group, we use an inductively coupled plasma-time of flight mass spectrometer (ICP-TOFMS) for the analysis of individual cells. Our interests include the measurement of trace elements in cells and the analysis of proteins or antigens after antibody labelling.