Microdissection techniques for molecular testing in surgical pathology.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the techniques for microdissection of paraffin-embedded and frozen tissue sections for the use in molecular applications.


METHODS
Original research papers and review papers and the authors' personal experiences.


RESULTS
Manual and laser-capture microdissection are described in detail, with specific protocols for sample preparation and instructions for performing the microdissection. A section addressing frequently asked questions is also included.


CONCLUSIONS
Microdissection is a technique that is very useful both in the research setting and for clinical molecular testing in paraffin-embedded tissue samples. The available techniques range from simple and inexpensive (manual microdissection) to complex and expensive (laser-capture microdissection). All of the techniques, however, require the user to be familiar with microscopy and histology.
Hunt
Jennifer L
JL
Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pa 15213, USA. huntjl@upmc.edu
Finkelstein
Sydney D
SD
D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D042282:Microdissection / Q000379:methods*; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000379:methods*