Laser Capture Microdissection

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 274; no. 5289; pp. 998 - 1001
• Main Authors: Emmert-Buck, Michael R., Bonner, Robert F., Smith, Paul D., Chuaqui, Rodrigo F., Zhuang, Zhengping, Goldstein, Seth R., Weiss, Rhonda A., Liotta, Lance A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society for the Advanement of Science 08-11-1996; American Association for the Advancement of Science; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cancer; Cell research; Cell Separation - methods; Cellular biology; Cytological research; Cytology; Diagnostic Tests; Dissection; Diverse techniques; DNA; DNA - analysis; Enzymes; Frozen Sections; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genes; Genetics; Histological Techniques; Humans; Lasers; Lesions; Lower of cost or market principle; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis; Methods; Microdissection; Molecular and cellular biology; Paraffin Embedding; Pathology; Photography; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polyvinyls; Precancerous Conditions - pathology; RNA; RNA - analysis; Tissue Fixation; Tumors; Human; Tissue; Vertebrata; Microdissection; Laser cutting; Method; Invertebrata; Histological section
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.274.5289.998

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) under direct microscopic visualization permits rapid one-step procurement of selected human cell populations from a section of complex, heterogeneous tissue. In this technique, a transparent thermoplastic film (ethylene vinyl acetate polymer) is applied to the surface of the tissue section on a standard glass histopathology slide; a carbon dioxide laser pulse then specifically activates the film above the cells of interest. Strong focal adhesion allows selective procurement of the targeted cells. Multiple examples of LCM transfer and tissue analysis, including polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA and RNA, and enzyme recovery from transferred tissue are demonstrated.