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Refining Single-Cell Metabolomics with Ion Mobility

Ion mobility-resolved mass cytometry expands metabolite coverage across thousands of single cells 

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  • February 24, 2026

  • 2 min

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A novel mass spectrometry workflow integrates ion mobility separation with mass cytometry, significantly enhancing single-cell metabolomics. This method overcomes previous challenges such as low sensitivity and high technical variability by combining selective ion accumulation with a ‘cell superposition’ strategy. Applied to over 45,000 liver cells from young and aged mice, this technique allows for the detection of thousands of metabolites, revealing age-related metabolic variations in hepatocytes. The study offers a promising pathway for exploring cellular metabolism in various contexts, including aging and disease.

Original Source(s)

Refining Single-Cell Metabolomics with Ion Mobility

Ion mobility-resolved mass cytometry expands metabolite coverage across thousands of single cells 

  • February 24, 2026

  • 2 min

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