Single-Cell Sample Introduction System (SC-SIS) for ICP-MS

Single-cell analysis using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (SC-ICP-MS) is enhancing the fundamental understanding in cellular biology, oncology and drug discovery. SC-ICP-MS provides for the quantification of metals in individual biological cells and is used as a research tool to allow scientists to study disease aetiology, better understand diseased cell states and develop new drug treatments to give better patient outcomes.

In single-cell analysis, the sample introduction system converts a continuous stream of biological cells efficiently into an aerosol of individual cells and transfers the aerosol into the Inductively Coupled Plasma of the ICP-MS for analysis. A critical aspect of the sample introduction system is the cells must remain intact and unruptured during the nebulization process to ensure each individual cell produces a single ion burst inside the plasma that can be transferred into the mass analyser of the ICP-MS for quantification.

Conventional ICP-MS spray chambers have low transport efficiencies (typically < 5% TE) that filter out larger droplets ( > 5µm) from the nebulizer aerosol. As most cell lines of interest are larger than 5µm, the secondary filtering mechanism of conventional spray chamber designs rejects a high proportion of the cells from passing to the plasma. To overcome this significant deficiency the Glass Expansion spray chamber design for single cell analysis is different from conventional ICP-MS spray chambers.

Glass Expansion have developed a Single-Cell Sample Introduction System (SC-SIS) for SC-ICP-MS which consists of a:

High efficiency, low uptake, concentric glass nebulizer designed to efficiently nebulize single-cell suspensions without compromising cell integrity
Low volume, on-axis, laminar-flow spray chamber directly coupled to the ICP for the highest transport efficiency of the nebulized single-cell suspension
Patent pending MicroJet gas adapter which entrains and shapes the aerosol plume to reduce cell deposition onto the spray chamber walls and increase sample transport efficiency
An instrument specific mounting bracket to support and install the SC-SIS Kit, ensuring proper alignment of the laminar flow spray chamber

Ordering Information

Part Number ICP-MS SC-SIS Kits

KT-1155 Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for Agilent ® ICP-MS

KT-1172 Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for Thermo ® ICP-MS

KT-1172 Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for TOFWERK icpTOF

KT-1184 Single-Cell Sample Introduction for PerkinElmer ® NexION 1000/2000/5000

KT-1204 Single-Cell Sample Introduction for PerkinElmer ® NexION 300/350

KT-1205 Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for NU ATTOM

KT-1213 Single-Cell Sample Introduction for Thermo ® X Series

KT-1215 Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for Thermo ® Neptune/Element

KT-1219 Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for Nu Vitesse

Part Number	ICP-MS SC-SIS Kits
KT-1155	Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for Agilent ® ICP-MS
KT-1172	Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for Thermo ® ICP-MS
KT-1172	Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for TOFWERK icpTOF
KT-1184	Single-Cell Sample Introduction for PerkinElmer ® NexION 1000/2000/5000
KT-1204	Single-Cell Sample Introduction for PerkinElmer ® NexION 300/350
KT-1205	Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for NU ATTOM
KT-1213	Single-Cell Sample Introduction for Thermo ® X Series
KT-1215	Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for Thermo ® Neptune/Element
KT-1219	Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for Nu Vitesse

Single-cell Literature

High-Sensitivity Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for ICP-MS

Single-Cell Sample Introduction System for ICP-MS Flyer

High Efficiency Nebulizer for Single Cell TOF-ICP-MS Presentation Poster

Towards Automated Routine Analysis of the Distribution of Trace Elements in Single Cells using ICP-MS

Multi-Element Analysis of Single Cells using a TOF-ICP-MS

Please email us at enquiries@geicp.com for more information.

Customer comments

(In reference to the Single Cell Sample Introduction System) We have been using your system since we have got best transport efficiencies when compared to other ones in the market. Generally, we obtain something like 70-80% in bacteria and yeast and lower (50-60%) in eukaryotic cells and NPs.

University laboratory – Spain

We have been using the Glass Expansion Single Cell Sample Introduction System in several studies including cells and Au NPs. Regarding the Au NPs, depending on operating conditions, transport efficiencies ranging between 60 and 95% were achieved.

ICP manufacturer - Europe

We tried the configuration you provided us, and the single cell sample introduction worked perfectly. We are tremendously grateful for your help.

University laboratory – Spain