What Techniques are Used in Metabolic Pathway Analysis?
Several advanced techniques are employed to study metabolic pathways in tissues:
1. Histochemistry: This technique involves staining tissues to visualize specific metabolites or enzymes, providing spatial context to metabolic activities. 2. Immunohistochemistry (IHC): IHC uses antibodies to detect specific proteins or enzymes involved in metabolic pathways, allowing the localization and quantification within tissues. 3. Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI): MSI combines histology with mass spectrometry to map the distribution of metabolites and lipids in tissue sections. 4. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing (scRNA-seq): This method profiles gene expression at the single-cell level, offering insights into how individual cells within a tissue contribute to overall metabolic processes.