Single-Cell Proteomics: Recent Advancement and Prospects

Single-cell analysis shows variations in the expression profile of differentiating cell types and sub-populations. Single cell proteomics (SCP) has emerged as a promising technology defining the cellular proteomics and their functions at a single cell level. SCP is a cutting-edge area of molecular biology focuses on the study of proteins within individual cells. In SCP, absolute quantification of single-cell proteins and highly multiplexed protein measurements is possible with the innovative techniques such as, Single Cell ProtEomics by Mass Spectrometry (SCOPE, SCOPE2), Nanodroplet Processing in One Pot for Trace Samples (nanoPOTS) and Mass Cytometry (CyTOF), Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC). Recent advancement in SCP is achieved with the development of new methods including miniaturized sample preparation, instrumentation advancements, optimized chromatographic techniques, and expansion of bioinformatics approaches. Integration of single cell multi-omics such as, single cell proteomics (SCP), single cell genomics (SCG), single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), single cell metabolomics (SCM) and single cell epigenomics (SCEpi) allows comprehensive understanding of gene regulation and cellular behavior of complex biological systems. SCP is crucial for studying complex biological systems and cellular heterogeneity, hence provides valuable insights of tumor heterogeneity, disease mechanisms, therapeutic development, hematopoiesis, neurobiology, cellular development and developmental biology.