Recent Developments in Single-Cell Metabolomics by Mass Spectrometry─A Perspective

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Single-cell (sc) resolution analyses, including sc transcriptomics and sc proteomics, have advanced cellular heterogeneity studies.
• Metabolomics provides unique insights into metabolic pathways, complementing transcriptomics and proteomics.
• Metabolic heterogeneity is vital in development, disease, and treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of mass spectrometry (MS)-based single-cell metabolomics advancements.
• To highlight ongoing challenges and biological questions in sc metabolomics from a biologist's perspective.
• To emphasize the integration of sc metabolomics with orthogonal techniques for systems-level understanding.

Main Methods:

• Focus on recent mass spectrometry (MS)-based advancements in single-cell metabolomics.
• Discuss innovations addressing cell isolation, signal sensitivity, and throughput.
• Highlight the importance of integrating orthogonal single-cell omics techniques.

Main Results:

• Single-cell metabolomics has progressed significantly, overcoming some limitations in sensitivity and throughput.
• Integrating sc metabolomics with other sc omics is crucial for validation and comprehensive understanding.
• The field is poised to explore complex biological systems and address critical questions in health and disease.

Conclusions:

• Single-cell metabolomics is a rapidly evolving field with immense potential for biological research.
• Addressing current challenges and integrating with other omics technologies will accelerate discoveries.
• This approach is key to unraveling metabolic heterogeneity in various biological contexts.