Proteomics single cell

The results for bacterial whole-cell analysis described here establish the utility of MALDI-FTMS for mass spectral analysis of whole-cell bacteria and (potentially) more complex single-celled organisms. The use of MALDI-measured accurate mass values combined with mass defect plots is rapid, accurate, and simpler in sample preparation then conventional liquid chromatographic methods for bacterial lipid analysis. Intact cell MALDI-FTMS bacterial lipid characterization complements the use of proteomics profiling by mass spectrometry because it relies on accurate mass measurements of chemical species that are not subject to posttranslational modification or proteolytic degradation. 

Zhang HT, Kacharmina JE, Miyashiro K, Greene MI, Eberwine J. Protein quantification from complex protein mixtures using a proteomics methodology with single-cell resolution. Proc Natl Acad Sri USA 2001 98(10) 5497-5502. 

In contrast to nucleic acids where polymerase chain reaction (PCR) allows the investigation of single cells, no amplification technology is available at the protein level. As such, proteomic studies require relatively large sample volume. Because of this limitation, it is not a surprising that most proteomic studies have been performed on whole tissue samples. This approach in cancer research is, however, unfortunate because cellular heterogeneity within a biopsy or tissue sample will likely impair the quality and reproducibility of information generated. 

TOWARDS MICROFLUIDIC-BASED LABEL-FREE SINGLE CELL PROTEOMICS... 

Diks SH, Peppelenbosch MP (2004-) Single cell proteomics for jjer-sonalised medicine. Trends Mol Med 10 574—577. 

Molecular and Surface Imaging Microfluidics and Miniaturization Sensors and Detectors Single-Cell Analysis Proteomics... 

Many organizers of virtual congresses in analytical chemistry further divided and defined the five subareas. In molecular and surface imaging, microfluidics and miniaturization, and sensors and detection, 63 to 66 percent of the speakers were U.S. scientists. In single-cell analysis, where only U.S. organizers responded, 76 percent of the speakers nominated were from the United States. In proteomics, where the majority of responding organizers were non-U.S., 47 percent of the speakers proposed were U.S. scientists. From these results it appears that U.S. scientists make up at least half of the leaders in these fields of analytical chemistry. 

Perez OD, Nolan GP. Phospho-proteomic immune analysis by flow cytometry from mechanism to translational medicine at the single-cell level. Immunol Rev 2006 210 208-228. 

---