title: Review of methods to probe single cell metabolism and bioenergetics.
abstract: Single cell investigations have enabled unexpected discoveries, such as the existence of biological noise and phenotypic switching in infection, metabolism and treatment. Herein, we review methods that enable such single cell investigations specific to metabolism and bioenergetics. Firstly, we discuss how to isolate and immobilize individuals from a cell suspension, including both permanent and reversible approaches. We also highlight specific advances in microbiology for its implications in metabolic engineering. Methods for probing single cell physiology and metabolism are subsequently reviewed. The primary focus therein is on dynamic and high-content profiling strategies based on label-free and fluorescence microspectroscopy and microscopy. Non-dynamic approaches, such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, are also briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999, Richland, WA 99354, USA. Electronic address: andreasv@uidaho.edu.
authors.forename: Andreas E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Vasdekis
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Room 56-469, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Electronic address: gregstep@mit.edu.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stephanopoulos
mesh_terms: D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism
keywords: Bioenergetics; Metabolism; Microfluidics; Microscopy; Single cell analysis