Yksittäissolumassaspektrometria

Yksittäissolumassaspektrometria, often abbreviated as SCMS, is an advanced analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions derived from individual cells. This method allows for the detailed analysis of the molecular composition of single cells, providing insights that are often masked by bulk analyses. Unlike traditional mass spectrometry, which analyzes a large population of cells, SCMS focuses on the chemical fingerprint of each cell separately.

The process typically involves isolating individual cells and then subjecting them to ionization, followed by separation of ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio using a mass spectrometer. Various ionization techniques can be employed, depending on the nature of the analytes being studied, such as proteins, metabolites, or lipids. The resulting mass spectra provide a wealth of information about the molecular makeup of each cell, including the relative abundance of different molecules.

Applications of SCMS are diverse and growing. It is particularly valuable in fields such as cancer research, where it can identify distinct molecular profiles of individual cancer cells and their microenvironment, aiding in the understanding of tumor heterogeneity and the development of targeted therapies. In developmental biology, SCMS can track molecular changes in individual cells during differentiation and development. Furthermore, it finds use in infectious disease research for analyzing the response of individual host cells to pathogens. The ability to perform single-cell resolution analysis opens new avenues for understanding biological complexity at its most fundamental level.