High-throughput, multiparameter analysis of single cells

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2014 May;406(14):3279-96. doi: 10.1007/s00216-013-7485-x. Epub 2013 Dec 1.

Abstract

Heterogeneity of cell populations in various biological systems has been widely recognized, and the highly heterogeneous nature of cancer cells has been emerging with clinical relevance. Single-cell analysis using a combination of high-throughput and multiparameter approaches is capable of reflecting cell-to-cell variability, and at the same time of unraveling the complexity and interdependence of cellular processes in the individual cells of a heterogeneous population. In this review, analytical methods and microfluidic tools commonly used for high-throughput, multiparameter single-cell analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins are discussed. Applications and limitations of currently available technologies for cancer research and diagnostics are reviewed in the light of the ultimate goal to establish clinically applicable assays.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genome
  • Genomics
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mice
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods
  • Microfluidics
  • Microscopy
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Nucleic Acids / analysis*
  • Proteins
  • Proteomics
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Proteins