Proteome Sciences plc announced the launch of SysQuant® SCP, the commercial service for single cell proteomics using the power of its TMTpro? isobaric labelling reagents. Where more traditional approaches can measure a few 10s of proteins on each cell using antibody labelling, SysQuant® SCP can identify more than 1,000 proteins in each study of 576 single cells and provides novel insights into individual cell biology and heterogeneity.

Proteome Sciences is one of the first commercial providers of such studies whichare expected to significantly improve the performance of drug development across multiple diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, respiratory and cardiac health, and metabolic disorders. Whilst in its infancy, the field of single cell proteomics is expected to grow rapidly as drug developers look to integrate single cell genomic data with knowledge of protein changes. At the same time, the complexity of the process along with the need to purchase and maintain costly equipment represents a significant barrier to entry.

The SysQuant® SCP pipeline generates and analyses quantitative mass spectrometry data to reveal subtle changes not only in individual cells but also within sub-populations of that same main cell type. This data will greatly improve understanding of the biological drivers of heterogeneity and evolution in the contexts of disease and response to therapy, which will offer new therapeutic and diagnostic targets for personalized medicine.