title: Recent advances in single-cell MALDI mass spectrometry imaging and potential clinical impact.
abstract: Single-cell analysis is gaining popularity in the field of mass spectrometry as a method for analyzing protein and peptide content in cells. The spatial resolution of MALDI mass spectrometry (MS) imaging is by a large extent limited by the laser focal diameter and the displacement of analytes during matrix deposition. Owing to recent advancements in both laser optics and matrix deposition methods, spatial resolution on the order of a single eukaryotic cell is now achievable by MALDI MS imaging. Provided adequate instrument sensitivity, a lateral resolution of approximately 10 µm is currently attainable with commercial instruments. As a result of these advances, MALDI MS imaging is poised to become a transformative clinical technology. In this article, the crucial steps needed to obtain single-cell resolution are discussed, as well as potential applications to disease research.
authors: Department of Chemistry and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA.
authors: Kristin J
authors: KJ
authors: Boggio
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Obasuyi
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Sugino
authors: Sacha B
authors: SB
authors: Nelson
authors: Nathalie Yr
authors: NY
authors: Agar
authors: Jeffrey N
authors: JN
authors: Agar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011506:Proteins