Single-cell ICP-mass spectrometry (SC-ICP-MS) allows determination of metal contents in individual cells, providing insight into variation within a cell population. When using ICP-MS instrumentation equipped with a time-of-flight analyzer, multi-element determination is enabled so that correlations between different elements can be examined and/or metal-labeled antibodies can be used to distinguish cell types. In addition to nebulization of a cell suspension, laser ablation will be used as a sample introduction technique. Applications are situated in cancer research.