title: Challenges of single-cell diagnostics: analysis of gene expression.
abstract: Analysis of single-cell gene expression promises a more precise understanding of human disease pathogenesis and important diagnostic applications. Here, we review the rationale for the study of gene expression at the single-cell level, practical methods to isolate homogeneous or single-cell samples, and current approaches to the analysis of single-cell gene expression. Finally, we highlight applications of laser microdissection-based gene expression analysis to the study of human disease and clinical diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA. randy_todd@hms.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Randy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Margolin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002477:Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D004210:Dissection; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity