title: Laser microdissection in translational and clinical research.
abstract: Laser microdissection (LMD) is now a well established method for isolating individual cells or subcellular structures from a heterogeneous cell population. In recent years, cell, DNA, RNA, and protein based techniques has been successfully coupled to LMD and important information has been gathered through the analysis of the genome, transcriptome, and more recently the proteome of individual microdissected cells. The aims of this review are to summarize and compare the principles of different laser microdissection instruments and techniques, to discuss sample preparation procedures for microdissection, and to provide wide variety of examples of translational/clinical research applications of LMD. Novel techniques specifically developed for the improved isolation of stained cells, living cells, or rare cells are also discussed.LMD has become an indispensable tool in the preparation of homogenous samples for sophisticated cell or molecular assays. Despite major technological advances, the labor requirements of LMD are still relatively high. However, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of LMD technology and associated sample preparation procedures may aid in the earlier introduction of this method into the routine clinical diagnostics.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Andras
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ladanyi
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sipos
authors.forename: Dominika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Szoke
authors.forename: Orsolya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Galamb
authors.forename: Bela
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Molnar
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tulassay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D035843:Biomedical Research; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D042282:Microdissection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA