Quantitative analysis of bio-molecules in single cells by mass spectrometry

Quantitative analysis of bio-molecules in single cells offers a direct and precise way for us to understand cell heterogeneity more comprehensively. Mass spectrometry (MS) based methods hold the exclusive advantages of unparalleled sensitivity and accuracy in the application of single-cell quantitative analysis. Excellent works have been done in recent years. This review summarizes the most recent advances in the development and applications of novel MS based quantitative methods. Sampling, pre-treatment, and ionization techniques that improve the sensitivity and accuracy of the methods are dissected comprehensively. The advantages, limitations and application scopes of different methods are compared and discussed in detail. This review offers us insights into the development trends in single-cell analysis from a quantitative perspective. It is beneficial to the fundamental researches in cell biology and medicine. It also provides guidance to the selection of suitable quantitative methods in biological and clinical applications. •Emphasize the fundamental role of quantification in the single cell analysis.•Summarize the most recent and novel quantitative methods for MS based single-cell analysis.•Compare the advantages, limitations and application scopes of different quantitative methods.•Offer the development trends for single-cell analysis from a quantitative perspective.•Provide reference for researchers to select the most suitable quantitative methods.