mass cytometry

Mass cytometry is a technology used by scientists to analyze individual cells in detail. It works by attaching metal labels to specific molecules within cells, then using a special instrument to measure these metals. Because each metal has a unique atomic mass, the machine can distinguish many different markers at once. This allows researchers to identify and characterize different cell types and their states rapidly and with high precision, making it a powerful tool for studying immune responses, cancer, and other biological processes at the single-cell level.