Frontier Technologies in Single-Cell Analysis: Synergistic Fusion of Droplet Printing and High-Performance Detection System

Abstract

Single-cell analysis provides critical insights into cellular heterogeneity, dynamic behaviours and microenvironmental interactions, driving advancements in precision medicine and disease mechanism research. However, traditional technologies face limitations due to low throughput, insufficient sensitivity and bottlenecks in multi-omics integration. Microdroplet printing technology, with its advantages in high-throughput single-cell encapsulation, picolitre-level reaction precision and oil-free phase contamination avoidance, has propelled single-cell analysis into a new era of high-throughput and high-dimensional resolution through deep integration with multimodal detection platforms. This review systematically elaborates on the theoretical framework, diverse technical systems and multi-dimensional application scenarios of microdroplet printing technology. It further dissects the deep coupling mechanisms between this technology and multimodal detection platforms such as including mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence and ultraviolet detectors, as well as its unique advantages in single-cell analysis. Such cross-technology integration has significantly accelerated innovation in fields such as single-cell drug screening and multi-omics analysis, marking a significant leap in the evolution of single-cell analytical methodologies.