Single cell analysis by using ICP-MS

Abstract

Single cell analysis by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been attracting attention for investigating a cell-to-cell variation of content of elements and biomolecules. ICP-MS has a unique feature that can be applied to a highly sensitive elemental analysis for evaluating a cell-to-cell variance or cellular uptake of elements, drugs, and nanoparticles and a multiparametric analysis for characterizing a cell population based on multiparameters, like a flow cytometry (so-called mass cytometry). In addition, subcellular localization analysis including multiparametric imaging can be performed with the coupling of a laser ablation system. In this chapter, we describe an overview of single cell analysis by using ICP-MS and its future prospects, focusing on cytometric analysis and imaging analysis.