Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy 9 Optimising single-cell analysis through syringe pump technology


Single-particle (sp) mode analysis has become a key method for analysing particle suspensions in ICP-MS, utilising short mass spectrometer integration times, often under 5 milliseconds. In this method, suspensions are diluted to ensure only a single particle is detected within each integration window. This approach has expanded to include single-cell analysis, targeting particles like biological and medical cells with diameters greater than 5 µm.


For accurate single-cell analysis, syringe pumps are recommended over conventional peristaltic pumps. Peristaltic pumps can crush cells, leading to distorted analysis results. Syringe pumps, in contrast, provide precise and gentle sample delivery, preserving cell integrity crucial for accurate results.


Syringe pumps are widely used in laboratories for applications requiring precise nanolitre or microlitre volume transport. Typically, these pumps cater to high-precision, low-volume applications. However, Spetec has developed a syringe pump tailored specifically for atomic spectroscopy, offering excellent value for its precision and performance. This pump was employed in a study by Gunda Köllensperger’s team at Vienna University, which investigated the uptake and kinetics of new cytostatic drugs in cancer cells.


The study utilised time-resolution single-cell analysis with an ICP-TOF-MS (icpTOF 2R; TOFWERK AG, Thun, Switzerland), enabling genuine multi-element analysis of individual cells. Yeast cells were incubated with cisplatin, washed, and delivered at 10 µL per minute using the syringe pump. The ICP-TOF-MS recorded isotopic data across a mass range of m/Z 2–257, converting the measured intensity into femtograms per cell.


The study demonstrated the ability to detect metals in individual cells at femtogram levels, highlighting the method’s precision. The data revealed significant biological variability among cells, with some absorbing disproportionately large amounts of cisplatin. The study shows that syringe pump-based sample delivery simplifies single-cell analysis using ICP-MS, allowing detection limits for elements like Cu and Zn in the attogram range.


This method is applicable not only in pharmaceutical research but also in toxicological investigations, potentially explaining the transport of nanoparticles or toxic heavy metals in cells. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/05x9 and ilmt.co/PL/ywoY


63206r@reply-direct.com New metallography options added to product line


Alpha Resources LLC, a leading manufacturer of consumables and reference materials, is excited to announce the expansion of its metallography product offerings, now featuring over 100 new options.


Metallography involves the study of metallic alloys’ microstructures and requires a meticulous preparation process. This includes documentation, sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, etching, and microscopic analysis. Alpha’s metallography product line supports all these stages, providing essential supplies for mounting, rough polishing, and final polishing of specimens. Their offerings include abrasives for grinding, diamond polishing materials, polishing cloths, and sectioning tools.


The recent expansion includes a diverse array of abrasive sizes and grit choices, along with a wider selection of polishing cloth types and backing options, catering to various grinding needs.


“One of our key goals for 2024 was to enhance our consumables lineup, providing customers with a single trusted source for high-quality products, irrespective of brand or analysis type,” said Ken Mantei, Director of Operations at Alpha Resources. “Having supplied metallography products for over 20 years, we recognised the need to broaden our options based on customer feedback. Our new metallography line continues to deliver cost savings while ensuring consistent, reliable results.”


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/Q6kQ 63540pr@reply-direct.com Spectroelectrochemistry: shedding light on the unknown


Spectroelectrochemistry is a combination of spectroscopy and electrochemistry. This hybrid technology possesses the advantages of each technique and can record an optical and electrochemical signal simultaneously.


Spectroelectrochemistry allows researchers to collect molecular, kinetic, and thermodynamic information from reactants, intermediates, and any products involved in electron transfer process. It’s therefore possible to perform spectroelectrochemical studies on a broad range of molecules and different processes including biological complexes, polymerisation reactions, and more.


Traditionally, the configuration for spectroelectrochemical analysis consists of two instruments: one spectroscopic instrument and one for electrochemical analysis. Both instruments are connected independently to the same spectroelectrochemical cell and are usually not synchronised. Each instrument is also controlled by a different software, so two programs are needed to interpret each signal and then a further external software is needed to process and analyse the data obtained. Additionally, because synchronisation isn’t guaranteed, tests with this configuration are slow, complex, and costly.


Metrohm DropSens created something that did not exist before - a revolution in spectroelectrochemistry; the SPELEC line of instruments are fully integrated, synchronised solutions that offer more versatility to researchers. The devices include all components needed to work with spectroelectrochemical techniques in a simple, single system.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/YQAB 63732pr@reply-direct.com New spectroscopy products available following company relocation


Following its relocation to a new headquarters west of Stuttgart, Maassen GmbH has expanded its product portfolio, enhancing manufacturing and distribution capabilities. The new facility enables increased production of proprietary and additional products, supporting a broader range of customer needs.


Press production continues, with ongoing expansion of available press tool diameters. The company also offers hard metal (KXF tungsten carbide/cobalt mixture) press plates in various sizes.


In addition to its existing range of products for ICP-OES, ICP-MS, AAS, and UV-VIS spectrometers from renowned manufacturers such as GlassExpansion and Burgener Research, Maassen GmbH has partnered with MeiHui Technology Japan / UVTech to supply high-quality light source modules. This includes deuterium lamps from Hamamatsu Photonics, socketed by MeiHui Technology for spectrometers from leading manufacturers. These light sources will be stocked in Europe in the coming months.


With this expansion, Maassen GmbH can now provide light sources for a wider range of spectrometers and HPLC systems. Customer testing has confirmed fitting accuracy and compatibility with various manufacturers’ equipment, while Hamamatsu Photonics’ long-life lamps have demonstrated consistent quality over the years.


A website relaunch is in progress, but inquiries about new products can be made via email. More information online: ilmt.co/PL/5O34


63766pr@reply-direct.com


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