Publication Highlight: Single-Cell Chemical Imaging

We are pleased to highlight a Nature Communications publication arising from our TRR 332 consortium, led by researchers at the Institute of Hygiene, University of Münster. The study, spearheaded by Dr. Alexander Potthoff and PD Dr. Jens Soltwisch, was recently featured by Biermann Medizin and selected as “Paper of the Month” by the Medical Faculty of the University of Münster.

The work presents a powerful new approach that combines fluorescence microscopy with single-cell mass spectrometry imaging, enabling the visualization of chemical signals and molecular profiles directly within individual cells in intact tissue. This technology provides unprecedented insight into cellular heterogeneity, including immune cell and neutrophil populations in complex microenvironments.

This achievement reflects an outstanding team effort across disciplines, uniting analytical chemistry, imaging technology, and immunobiology. It represents an important methodological advance for spatial biology and a strong example of the collaborative research spirit within the consortium.