The recent launch of mass cytometry or cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF) has revolutionized flow cytometry. Similar to fluorescence flow cytometry, a key challenge for CyTOF is to analyze samples of limited amount or very rare cell populations under various experimental settings. Here we describe a carrier strategy that significantly reduces the required sample amount without losing analytical resolution. We were able to detect as few as 5 × 104 human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using this method. This simple method thus enables the maximal usage of valuable clinical samples.
Keywords: Carrier; EL4; Mass cytometry (CyTOF); PBMCs; Small number of cells.