Unraveling cell populations in tumors by single-cell mass cytometry. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Palma, Serena; Bodenmiller, Bernd
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in biotechnology. Volume 31(2015)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2014.07.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-1669

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Single-cell mass cytometry enables analyses of heterogeneous cell populations. Mass-tag cellular barcoding increases multiplexing capability and sample throughput. Imaging mass cytometry methods allow spatial-resolved measurements of tumor tissues. New computational tools help identifying cell subsets in heterogeneous populations. Mass cytometry can study links between cell phenotypes and tumor microenvironment. Abstract : The development of new biotechnologies for the analysis of individual cells in heterogeneous populations is an important direction of life science research. This review provides a critical overview of relevant and recent advances in the field of single-cell mass cytometry, focusing on the latest applications in the study of cell heterogeneity. New approaches for multiparameter single-cell imaging, alongside advanced computational tools for deep mining of high-dimensional mass cytometric data, are facilitating the visualization of specific cell types and their interactions in complex cellular assemblies, such as tumors, potentially revealing new insights into cancer biology.