PNNL

Abstract

Mass-spectrometry based omics technologies – namely proteomics, metabolomics and lipidomics – have enabled the molecular level systems biology investigation of organisms in unprecedented detail. Given the prevalence and importance of cellular heterogeneity, there has been increasing interest to gain a thorough, functional understanding of the associated biological consequences in a wide variety of research areas such as developmental biology, precision medicine, cancer research and microbiome science. Recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation and sample handling strategies are quickly making comprehensive omics of single cells feasible, but the field still requires some key breakthroughs to push through remaining bottlenecks. In this review, we discuss the challenges faced by single cell MS-based omics and highlight recent advances in analysis of small samples down to the single cell. We provide a vision of the potential of integrating pioneering technologies such as Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) for improved sensitivity and resolution, novel peptide identification tactics and standards free metabolomics approaches for future applications in single cell analysis.