An Introduction to Single Cell ICP-MS Analysis

The introduction and development of Single Particle ICP-MS (SP-ICP-MS) has opened a new area of research which allows the rapid detection and analysis of metal-based particles in a variety of matrices and applications.1-6 The key feature of SP-ICP-MS is that it allows discrete pulses of positively charged ions to be detected and measured in a time-resolved manner using microsecond (µs) data acquisition rates. This advance in data acquisition capabilities is opening up a number of new application areas. In this white paper, Perkin Elmer introduces the concept of Single Cell ICP-MS (SC-ICP-MS), where individual cells are rapidly analyzed for metal content.