Mass Spectrometry-based Solutions for Single-cell Proteomics

Mass spectrometry-based single-cell proteomics (MS-SCP) is attracting tremendous attention because it is now technically feasible to quantify thousands of proteins in minute samples. Since protein amplification is still not possible, technological improvements in MS-SCP focus on minimizing sample loss while increasing throughput, resolution, and sensitivity, as well as achieving measurement depth, accuracy, and stability comparable to bulk samples. Major advances in MS-SCP have facilitated its application in biological and even medical research. Here, we review the key advancements in MS-SCP technology and discuss the strategies of the typical proteomics workflow to improve MS-SCP analysis from single-cell isolation, sample preparation, and liquid chromatography separation to MS data acquisition and analysis. The review will provide an overall understanding of the development and applications of MS-SCP and inspire more novel ideas regarding the innovation of MS-SCP technology.