Single-cell imaging mass spectrometry

•SIMS is the predominant imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) technique for single-cell MS imaging.•SIMS at subcellular spatial resolution has led to new biological observations.•Sensitivity is the ‘new challenge’ limiting MALDI spatial resolution.•MALDI is a potential platform for proteomics-based singl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in chemical biology 2013-10, Vol.17 (5), p.854-859
Main Authors: Passarelli, Melissa K, Ewing, Andrew G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biochemistry - methods
Humans
Lipid Metabolism
Lipids - analysis
Proteins - analysis
Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization - methods
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Summary:•SIMS is the predominant imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) technique for single-cell MS imaging.•SIMS at subcellular spatial resolution has led to new biological observations.•Sensitivity is the ‘new challenge’ limiting MALDI spatial resolution.•MALDI is a potential platform for proteomics-based single-cell IMS. Single-cell imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a powerful technique used to map the distributions of endogenous biomolecules with subcellular resolution. Currently, secondary ion mass spectrometry is the predominant technique for single-cell IMS, thanks to its submicron lateral resolution and surface sensitivity. However, recent methodological and technological developments aimed at improving the spatial resolution of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) have made this technique a potential platform of single-cell IMS. MALDI opens the field of single-cell IMS to new possibilities, including single cell proteomic imaging and atmospheric pressure analyses; however, sensitivity is a challenge. In this report, we estimate the availability of proteins and lipids in a single cell and discuss strategies employed to improve sensitivity at the single-cell level.
ISSN:1367-5931
1879-0402
DOI:10.1016/j.cbpa.2013.07.017