Automated System for Microdissection of Cells

An automated system for laser capture microdissection (LCM) of cells helps researchers isolate and analyze pure cell populations from tissue sections and cytology samples.

The new system uses a low-energy infrared (IR) laser to extend a proprietary plastic adhesive onto selected cells of interest that allows scientists to gently lift cells off tissue sections or cytology samples and retain them for subsequent analysis. This approach eliminates any destructive laser-induced photochemistry in the captured cells, insuring the integrity of nucleic acids and proteins isolated for downstream analysis. Called the AutoPix LCM, the system is specifically engineered for microgenomics and offers the ability to capture cells from up to three samples in a complete enclosed environment that prevents contamination and provides optimum conditions for fluorescence detection.

The system uses custom microfluidic devices for the reliable recovery of nucleic acids and proteins from very small numbers of cells. All operations are controlled through a software interface. The system is ideal for capturing rare cells or discrete cells dispersed in mixed populations, says Arcturus (Mountain View, CA, USA), which developed the system.

"The AutoPix system represents a major step forward in our mission of applying microgenomics to explore the molecular processes of the cell. This opens new frontiers in the study of cancer, neurologic disorders, and developmental biology,” said Dr. Thomas M. Baer, CEO of Arcturus.




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