High resolution mass spectrometry for single cell analysis

Mass spectrometry is an important analytical tool that has found pervasive use in numerous fields. This review tries to look at the recent advances in high resolution mass spectrometry for single cell analysis. This manuscript is specifically focused at the developments, progresses and bottle necks in the resolution of the instruments developed for of mass spectrometry. These advances have been able to foment further challenges which require further research. This paper attempts to highlight these challenges and alludes to possible solutions for these challenges. Mass spectrometry is an important analytical tool that has found pervasive use in numerous fields. This review tries to look at the recent advances in high resolution mass spectrometry for single cell analysis. This manuscript is specifically focused at the developments, progresses and bottle necks in the resolution of the instruments developed for of mass spectrometry. These advances have been able to foment further challenges which require further research. This paper attempts to highlight these challenges and alludes to possible solutions for these challenges. [Display omitted] •Review of Mass spectrometry methods used in Single cell analysis.•Reviews the Vacuum based as well as Ambient pressure based methods in reflection and Transmission geometries.•Reviews methods that use soft as well as hard ionization techniques.•Points out short comings in the current status of research.•Concludes with possible solutions.