Abstract IA020: Measuring single-cell mass: Biological insights and clinical translation

Abstract Advancements in measuring the biophysical properties of single cells with both high precision and throughput have furthered our understanding of biological processes and facilitated the development of innovative clinical biomarkers. These biomarkers offer a comprehensive assessment of cell state with utility for both research and clinical contexts. This presentation will: (i) demonstrate the capability of single-cell mass measurements for guiding therapy in cancer treatment; and (ii) present a novel approach to quantify the fractional water content of single cells which serves as a proxy for molecular crowding. Our findings suggest that, unlike mass, proliferating cells maintain strict regulation over their water content. However, biological processes or perturbations that impact proliferation can lead to dramatic changes in water content. Thus, water content emerges as a crucial indicator of cell state, with potential implications for disease diagnosis and monitoring. Citation Format: Scott Manalis. Measuring single-cell mass: Biological insights and clinical translation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Functional and Genomic Precision Medicine in Cancer: Different Perspectives, Common Goals; 2025 Mar 11-13; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(5 Suppl):Abstract nr IA020.