title: Innovative Tools and Technology for Analysis of Single Cells and Cell-Cell Interaction.
abstract: Heterogeneity in single-cell responses and intercellular interactions results from complex regulation of cell-intrinsic and environmental factors. Single-cell analysis allows not only detection of individual cellular characteristics but also correlation of genetic content with phenotypic traits in the same cell. Technological advances in micro- and nanofabrication have benefited single-cell analysis by allowing precise control of the localized microenvironment, cell manipulation, and sensitive detection capabilities. Additionally, microscale techniques permit rapid, high-throughput, multiparametric screening that has become essential for -omics research. This review highlights innovative applications of microscale platforms in genetic, proteomic, and metabolic detection in single cells; cell sorting strategies; and heterotypic cell-cell interaction. We discuss key design aspects of single-cell localization and isolation in microfluidic systems, dynamic and endpoint analyses, and approaches that integrate highly multiplexed detection of various intracellular species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115; email: s.sarkar@neu.edu , sabhachandani.p@husky.neu.edu , no.cohen@neu.edu , t.konry@neu.edu.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Konry
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115; email: s.sarkar@neu.edu , sabhachandani.p@husky.neu.edu , no.cohen@neu.edu , t.konry@neu.edu.
authors.forename: Saheli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115; email: s.sarkar@neu.edu , sabhachandani.p@husky.neu.edu , no.cohen@neu.edu , t.konry@neu.edu.
authors.forename: Pooja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sabhachandani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115; email: s.sarkar@neu.edu , sabhachandani.p@husky.neu.edu , no.cohen@neu.edu , t.konry@neu.edu.
authors.forename: Noa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: cellular communication; genetic analysis; microfluidics; microwell; protein detection