Single-cell Raman and mass spectrometry analysis to probe cellular heterogeneity in tamoxifen uptake and metabolism.

Current drug discovery is limited by the lack of single-cell data on drug uptake, metabolism, and effects, as population-level methods obscure cellular heterogeneity. While single-cell RNA sequencing has revealed drug resistance mechanisms, it cannot simultaneously measure drug concentrations and cellular responses. Raman spectroscopy probes single-cell drug effects but lacks sensitivity for drug or its metabolite quantification, whereas single-cell mass spectrometry (MS) offers high sensitivity but consumes samples, preventing repeated measurements.

Lipid dysregulation in triple negative breast cancer: Insights from mass spectrometry-based approaches.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis among breast cancers due to its aggressive nature and the absence of targeted treatments. Development of novel anti-cancer drugs for TNBC faces challenges stemming from its heterogeneity and high potential for metastasis. Metabolomics can be a useful technology in finding novel therapeutic targets and probing the heterogeneity of TNBC.

Enabling high-sensitivity live single-cell mass spectrometry using an integrated electrical lysis and nano electrospray ionization interface.

Background: Live single-cell metabolomic studies encounter inherent difficulties attributed to the limited sample volume, minimal compound quantity, and insufficient sensitivity in the Mass Spectrometry (MS) method used to obtain single-cell data. However, understanding cellular heterogeneity, functional diversity, and metabolic processes within individual cells is essential. Exploring how individual cells respond to stimuli, including drugs, environmental changes, or signaling molecules, offers insights into biology, oncology, and drug discovery.

Single-cell metabolomics by mass spectrometry: ready for primetime?

Single-cell metabolomics (SCMs) is a powerful tool for studying cellular heterogeneity by providing insight into the differences between individual cells. With the development of a set of promising SCMs pipelines, this maturing technology is expected to be widely used in biomedical research. However, before SCMs is ready for primetime, there are some challenges to overcome.