Abstract

Single Cells to Single Molecules: Biological Drivers and Practical Challenges

John Nolan, CEO, Cellarcus Biosciences, Inc.

Quantitative measurement of the molecular components of biological systems is essential to understanding and predicting their behavior. Modern cytometry technologies, including multiparameter flow and image cytometry, have enabled unprecedented views into the organization and function of both liquid organs (eg the immune system) and solid tissues at the single cell level. These technologies have revolutionized our ability to study and manipulate these systems, but have also revealed to need to understand the composition and organization of the sub-cellular molecular assemblies that are responsible for function. Sub-cellular cytometry challenges the sensitivity and resolution of the instruments and assays used to measure these systems, and demands a revised view of how to use instruments, reagents, and standards to produce rigorous and reproducible analysis tools. I will review recent advances in cytometry technologies and their applications to sub-cellular analysis, and use recent studies of cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs, aka exosomes and microvesicles) to illustrate new solutions and as yet unmet needs.