Single cell analysis has drawn increasing interest from the research community due to its capability to interrogate cellular heterogeneity, allowing refined tissue classification and facilitating novel biomarker discovery. With the advancement of relevant instruments and techniques, it is now possible to perform multiple omics including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics or even proteomics at single cell level. In comparison with other omics studies, single-cell metabolomics (SCM) represents a significant challenge since it involves many types of dynamically changing compounds with a wide range of concentrations. In addition, metabolites cannot be amplified. Although difficult, considerable progress has been made over the past decade in mass spectrometry (MS)-based SCM in terms of processing technologies and biochemical applications. In this review, we will summarize recent progress in the development of promising MS platforms, sample preparation methods and SCM analysis of various cell types (including plant cell, cancer cell, neuron, embryo cell, and yeast cell). Current limitations and future research directions in the field of SCM will also be discussed.

中文翻译：

---

基于质谱的单细胞代谢组学策略

由于单细胞分析能够审视细胞异质性、允许精细的组织分类并促进新的生物标志物发现，因此越来越受到研究界的关注。随着相关仪器和技术的进步，现在可以在单细胞水平上进行包括基因组学、转录组学、代谢组学甚至蛋白质组学在内的多组学研究。与其他组学研究相比，单细胞代谢组学 (SCM) 是一项重大挑战，因为它涉及许多类型的动态变化的化合物，浓度范围很广。此外，不能扩增代谢物。尽管困难重重，但在过去十年中，基于质谱 (MS) 的 SCM 在加工技术和生化应用方面取得了相当大的进步。在这篇综述中，我们将总结在开发有前途的 MS 平台、样品制备方法和各种细胞类型（包括植物细胞、癌细胞、神经元、胚胎细胞和酵母细胞）的 SCM 分析方面的最新进展。还将讨论 SCM 领域的当前局限性和未来的研究方向。