Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026
09:45
Generation of Integration-free Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Using Episomal Vectors
Published on: January 1, 2017
11.4K
Single-Cell Proteomics of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Exceeding 600 Cells per Day
James M Fulcher1, Yumi Kwon1, Pranav Dawar1
1Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|February 12, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a new single-cell proteomic (scProteomic) method for analyzing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The advanced platform achieves high throughput and sensitivity, enabling detailed characterization of immune cell populations.
Area of Science:
- Proteomics
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Single-cell proteomic (scProteomic) analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is crucial for understanding human health and disease.
- Existing methods face challenges in achieving the high throughput and sensitivity required for heterogeneous immune cell populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel scProteomic platform that enhances sensitivity and throughput for PBMC analysis.
- To enable deeper proteomic profiling of individual immune cells.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of Real-Time spectral Library Searching (RTLS) for improved identification depth and reproducibility.
- Utilization of TMTpro 32-plex labeling and updated nested-nanodroplet processing (N2) for trace samples.
- Employment of a dual-column liquid chromatography system for maximal throughput.
Main Results:
- The platform achieved a throughput of 660 single PBMCs per day, with an average of 750 protein identifications per cell.
- Demonstrated enhanced identification depth and feature reproducibility compared to standard shotgun proteomics.
- Successfully identified major and low-frequency immune cell types (∼1-2%) and their associated proteomic markers in 2,130 PBMCs.
Conclusions:
- The developed scProteomic platform offers unprecedented throughput and depth for immune cell characterization.
- This method facilitates the identification of rare immune cell populations and their proteomic signatures.
- The approach advances the field of single-cell proteomics for immunological research.
Related Concept Videos
01:07What are Cells?
204.9K
Cells are the smallest and basic units of life, whether it is a single cell that forms the entire organism, e.g., in a bacterium or trillions of them, e.g., in humans. No matter what organism a cell is a part of, they share specific characteristics.
Basic Characteristics of Cells
A living cell has a plasma membrane, a bilayer of lipids that separates the aqueous solution inside the cell called the cytoplasm from the outside environment.
Furthermore, a living cell possesses genetic information...
Basic Characteristics of Cells
A living cell has a plasma membrane, a bilayer of lipids that separates the aqueous solution inside the cell called the cytoplasm from the outside environment.
Furthermore, a living cell possesses genetic information...
204.9K
01:20Protein Buffers in Blood Plasma and Cells
4.0K
The human body utilizes protein buffer systems to maintain a stable pH. These systems capitalize on the dual role of amino acids, which can act as acids or bases by accepting or releasing hydrogen ions in response to pH changes. Protein buffer systems are particularly significant in the extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF) of active cells, where structural and functional proteins provide substantial buffering capacity.
Certain amino acids can exist in a zwitterion state at a...
Certain amino acids can exist in a zwitterion state at a...
4.0K
02:21Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
15.0K
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
15.0K
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
32.6K
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
32.6K
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
16.6K
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
16.6K
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
131.1K
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
131.1K