Glass electrospray for mass spectrometry in situ detection of living cells

Here, we developed a platform consisting of glass electrospray coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) to detect living cells cultured on glass slides. With a high electric voltage, the adherent cells detached from the glass surface and then migrated to the tip of the glass slide. In this way, the intact cells could be well detected without needing to be diluted and without showing matrix affinity, adsorption, contamination, or damage.