Laser capture microdissection in molecular diagnostics

The myriad of cell types within neoplasms presents a major obstacle for the global analysis of such tissues. Laser capture microdissection employs a laser to dissect individual cells or small clusters of cells selected by concurrent light microscopy. Laser microdissection permits analysis of molecular alterations within specific cell populations without interference from nontarget cell populations. Laser capture microdissection has been extensively used in cancer research, contributing to the understanding of tumor biology by mutation detection, clonality analysis, epigenetic alteration assessment, gene expression profiling, proteomics, and metabolomics. Currently there are two major technical platforms: the infrared laser - thermal-sensitive membrane system - and the foil-cutting ultraviolet laser system.