Single cell analytics: an overview

Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol. 2011:124:99-122. doi: 10.1007/10_2010_96.

Abstract

The research field of single cell analysis is rapidly expanding, driven by developments in flow cytometry, microscopy, lab-on-a-chip devices, and many other fields. The promises of these developments include deciphering cellular mechanisms and the quantification of cell-to-cell differences, ideally with spatio-temporal resolution. However, these promises are challenging as the analytical techniques have to cope with minute analyte amounts and concentrations. We formulate first these challenges and then present state-of-the-art analytical techniques available to investigate the different cellular hierarchies--from the genome to the phenome, i.e., the sum of all phenotypes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques / instrumentation
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Separation / instrumentation
  • Cell Separation / methods*
  • Cells, Cultured / cytology*
  • Cells, Cultured / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Profiling / instrumentation
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Humans
  • Microarray Analysis / instrumentation
  • Microarray Analysis / methods*
  • Microscopy / instrumentation
  • Microscopy / methods*