Analytical techniques for single-cell metabolomics: State of the art and trends

摘要

Single-cell metabolomics is an emerging field that addresses fundamental biological questions and allows one to observe metabolic phenomena in heterogeneous populations of single cells. In this review, we assess the suitability of different detection techniques and present considerations on sample preparation for single-cell metabolomics. Although targeted analysis of single cells can readily be conducted using fluorescent probes and optical instruments (microscopes, fluorescence detectors), a comprehensive metabolomic approach requires a powerful label-free method, such as mass spectrometry (MS). Mass-spectrometric techniques applied to study small molecules in single cells include electrosprayMS, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionizationMS, and secondary ionMS. Sample preparation is an important aspect to be taken into account during further development of methods for single-cell metabolomics.