Visualized single cell dynamics and analysis of molecular tricks

The dynamic behaviours of various cells were analysed by video-microscopes and mass spectrometers at the single-cell level. By the video image analysis of a single cell, real dynamic moments of cell behaviour, which were previously accessible only to the imagination, can be visualized - such as the popping of micro-granules, and the exocytosis of neutrophils; a mast cell model cell line, RBL-2H3 cells, and pancreatic beta cell model cell line, MIN-6. In combination with the observations of behaviour, more direct molecular analyses become much more important for showing the molecular interplay in a cell. The combination of mass spectrometries was applied to analysis at the single cellular level. Based on the current progress in these analyses, the future trends in analyses of single cellular dynamism are predicted. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.