I was excited to read about how Huang et al (1) described a new method for accurately quantifying protein copy number from a single cell. Previously, method such as these have had to use high concentrations of cells, such as with flow cytometry, but they "present a different approach based on manipulating, capturing, and lysing a single cell, followed by chemical separation and analysis of the lysate". By using a microfluidics device they are able to analyze low copy number proteins (as low as 1000 per cell) within a single cell.

1. Huang B, Wu H, Bhaya D, et al. Counting Low-Copy Number Proteins in a Single Cell. Science, January 5, 2007. 315(5808) p81-84.