NMR spectroscopy of single neurons

The first spatially localized NMR spectra of osmolytes and metabolites from single isolated neurons have been obtained using a combination of high mag netic field strengths and NMR radio frequency (RF) microcoils, The proton s pectra display peaks at high concentrations (100-300 mM) assigned to betain e and choline, and other metabolite resonances including lactate at lower c oncentrations in the order of 10s of millimoles. The volumes examined were approximately 10 nl, over two orders of magnitude less than previously poss ible. In these initial experiments; the cells were unperfused and the signa l intensities of the osmolytes decrease with time, a phenomenon consistent with cell swelling, This work demonstrates the technical feasibility of NMR spectroscopy of single cells, further broadening the scope of NMR spectros copy of living tissues from application to entire living organisms (man and animal models) and isolated tissues (perfused organs and cultured assembli es of cells) and now to single cells. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.