Single-cell analysis

The Single Cell Analysis (English single cell analysis, SCA) referred in biochemistry, cell biology and medicine, the study of individual cells or in tissues. Characteristic of the method used, a relatively high sensitivity ( low detection limit ), or of microscopy, and flow cytometry analysis of individual cells.

Principle

In tissues of organisms are different cell types, some of which are found only in small numbers, eg some stem cells or tumors metastases. The single cell analysis is used in the microscopy, among other things for the study of apoptosis, cell migration, cell division and cell proliferation in a single clone. The patch -clamp technique and the lab-on -a- chip can be used to study the electrophysiology of single cells such as neurons. Methods to lower the detection limit in the analysis of individual cells are, for example, DNA sequencing, RT-PCR, and mass spectrometry.