What is laser capture microdissection used for?

Laser-capture microdissection (LCM) is a method to procure subpopulations of tissue cells under direct microscopic visualization. LCM technology can harvest the cells of interest directly or can isolate specific cells by cutting away unwanted cells to give histologically pure enriched cell populations.

How does laser capture microdissection work?

The principle of laser capture microdissection. The laser beam transiently melts the thermoplastic film coating the cap, causing the film to adhere to the chosen cells. On removal of the cap from the slide, the chosen tissue remains adherent to the cap.

What is microdissection used for?

1 Microdissection. Microdissection is a traditional method used to isolate tissue-specific cells; a fine glass needle is manipulated under an inverted microscope to assist in dissection.

Who invented laser capture microdissection?

German pathologists
The very first Laser Microdissection system was invented already 45 years ago back in 1976 by German pathologists [1,2]. They used an upright Leitz-Orthoplan microscope and already discovered gravity as collection method.

How does laser capture microdissection ( LCM ) work?

Laser-capture microdissection (LCM) is a method to procure subpopulations of tissue cells under direct microscopic visualization. LCM technology can harvest the cells of interest directly or can isolate specific cells by cutting away unwanted cells to give histologically pure enriched cell populations.

How does the MMI cellcut laser microdissection work?

The MMI CellCut laser microdissection uses an UV laser with very low power but high pulse rate to create a very thin cutting line with sub-micron precision not damaging the cells of interest or the surrounding tissue. Please check the website (inlcuding a short video) on how this works:

How is laser capture used for breast dissection?

Laser capture micro-dissection transfer of pure breast duct epithelial cells. Left panel shows tissue section with selected cells removed. Right panel shows isolated epithelial cells on transfer film.

How does a cut and capture laser work?

With cut-and-capture, a cap coated with an adhesive is positioned directly on the thinly cut (5-8 μm) tissue section, the section itself resting on a thin membrane (polyethylene naphthalene). An IR laser gently heats the adhesive on the cap fusing it to the underlying tissue and an UV laser cuts through tissue and underlying membrane.