Study of single cells by using capillary electrophoresis and native fluorescence detection

Capillary electrophoresis is known for its compatibility with biological materials and with small samples. It is an ideal tool for the study of single biological cells. Either whole cells or the material secreted from cells can be quantified. By continuously flowing a chemical stimulant over an immobilized cell inside the entrance of the capillary, one can even record the temporal progression of cellular secretion with sub-second resolution. The use of native fluorescence detection in such experiments provides a sensitive, rapid, non-intrusive and quantitative probe of important biomolecules such as catecholamines and proteins.