Single-Cell Metabolomics Service
In traditional bulk metabolomics, the unique metabolic signatures of individual cells are lost in the average. But biology doesn't happen in bulk. Our end-to-end Single Cell Metabolomics services empower you to capture the dynamic, real-time chemical state of individual cells, allowing you to answer complex biological questions with unprecedented clarity.
Whether you are investigating tumor microenvironments, mapping cellular differentiation, or screening drug responses, our expert team and state-of-the-art platforms are here to help you turn cellular complexity into actionable insights.
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- What for
- Workflow
- Deliverables
- Applications
- Why Choose
- FAQs
- Sample preparation
What Single Cell Metabolomics Can Do?
Metabolites are the ultimate downstream indicators of cellular phenotype. While genomics and transcriptomics tell you what a cell might do, metabolomics tells you what it is actually doing.
By partnering with us for single cell metabolomics, you can:
- Identify rare cell populations: Spot metabolically distinct sub-populations that bulk analysis would otherwise mask.
- Understand cellular plasticity: Track real-time metabolic shifts during differentiation, disease progression, or immune response.
- Decipher disease mechanisms: Map the metabolic crosstalk within complex tissues, such as the tumor microenvironment.
- Accelerate drug discovery: Measure drug uptake, metabolism, and localized efficacy at the single-cell level.
Our End-to-End Workflow
Deliverables
We don't just hand you a massive spreadsheet of raw data—we deliver publication-ready biological insights. At the conclusion of your single cell metabolomics project, you will receive a secure, comprehensive data package that includes:
- Comprehensive Project Report: Detailed methodologies, instrument parameters, and rigorous Quality Control (QC) metrics to ensure full reproducibility for your publications.
- Annotated Data Matrices: Clean, normalized datasets with confirmed and putative metabolite identifications mapped to premier databases (e.g., HMDB, KEGG).
- Single-Cell Visualizations: High-quality dimensionality reduction plots (PCA, UMAP, t-SNE), heatmaps, and violin plots clearly illustrating metabolic clustering and cellular heterogeneity.
- Pathway & Biological Analysis: Differential metabolite analysis mathematically mapped to established biochemical networks, explaining the biological "why" behind your cellular data.
Key Applications
Why Partner With Us?
- Uncompromising Sensitivity: Our proprietary sample preparation and customized MS workflows ensure maximum coverage of the single-cell metabolome.
- Actionable Bioinformatics: We don't just hand you a spreadsheet of raw data. We provide biological context, clear visualizations, and comprehensive statistical analysis.
- Dedicated Scientific Support: You will be paired with a lead scientist who will be your direct point of contact from project kickoff to the final data review.
- Customized services: We tailor strategies to your project needs and provide exclusive insights.
FAQs
What types of metabolites can your platform detect?
Our high-sensitivity mass spectrometry platforms（Bruker timsTOF fleX） capture a broad range of small molecules, including amino acids, central carbon metabolites (glycolysis and TCA cycle intermediates), lipids, and nucleotides. We can tailor the extraction and analytical methods to target specific chemical classes based on your unique research goals.
How many individual cells are actually analyzed per sample?
The number of cells analyzed depends on your biological question and the specific isolation technology utilized. Typically, we target hundreds to a few thousand individual cells per condition. This ensures robust statistical power to identify both dominant metabolic trends and rare cellular subpopulations.
Can single cell metabolomics data be integrated with scRNA-seq data?
Yes. While genomics tells you what a cell is programmed to do, metabolomics shows what it is actively doing. Our bioinformatics team can assist with multi-omics integration, helping you correlate gene expression profiles with downstream metabolic phenotypes for a holistic view of cellular state.
Learn about other Q&A.
Sample Preparation Guidelines
Because cellular metabolites turn over in fractions of a second, pristine sample preparation is critical. Please reference the table below for our general submission requirements to ensure your samples arrive in optimal condition.
| Requirement | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Acceptable Sample Types | Cell lines, PBMCs, and single-cell suspensions derived from primary tissues. |
| Viability & Quantity | >85% viability; Minimum starting count of 1 x 10^6 cells per condition. |
| Metabolic Quenching | Rapid cold-washing and flash-freezing are required to halt metabolic enzymatic activity. |
Please note that the 1 x 10^6 cells refer to the starting material—not the final input—due to expected cell loss during the isolation process.
Need a custom protocol? If you are working with rare cell populations or complex tissue models, our scientists are ready to assist you in optimizing your isolation and quenching strategy.
