Laser-assisted microdissection and molecular analysis at the cellular level

Developments of molecular biological techniques have allowed the analysis of small tissue samples. In order to obtain optimal results it is essential to work with pure cell populations. The procurement of pure samples has, however, been one of the main limiting factors in biomedical research. Recently developed systems for laser-assisted microdissection now allow the isolation of pure cell populations from tissue sections, even at a single cell level, that are suitable for subsequent molecular analyses. Since morphological features can be directly related to molecular characteristics, studies concerning molecular genetic backgrounds underlying disease can be performed more easily and accurately. By future combined use of laser microdissection and new molecular analysis methods, the applications for laser-micro-dissection will increase further.