Single-Cell Endoscopy for Multifunctional Live-Cell Molecular Analysis

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Abstract
Molecular analyses of individual cells with high resolution, specificity, and sensitivity can not only reveal cellular heterogeneity but also provide a better understanding of diseases and accelerate drug discoveries. Single-cell endoscopy is an advanced live-cell technique that relies on a smart endoscope that allows minimally invasive probing of the interiors of individual cells. Compared with other single-cell analysis techniques, single-cell endoscopy has shown great promise in applications such as flexible single-cell manipulation, ultrasensitive sensing, and precise intracellular delivery. In this review, we aim to map out the landscape of recent advances in single-cell endoscopy techniques by focusing on both fundamental considerations and significant progress over the past decade. Specifically, we summarize the predominant live-cell endoscopes, including their fabrication and characterization. Furthermore, a series of valuable intracellular molecular sensing events, such as nucleic acids, proteins, ions, etc., are introduced with a main emphasis on how single-cell endoscopy can solve these issues and what merits single-cell endoscopy can provide. Finally, we briefly outline the remaining challenges and directions for the future development of single-cell endoscopy techniques.
Funding Information
  • National Key Research and Development Grant (2023 YFF0723400, 202410291202Y)
  • School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project (2023 YFF0723400, 202410291202Y)
  • Nanjing Tech University for Talent Introduction and Research Initiation (2023 YFF0723400, 202410291202Y)

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