Laser capture microdissection: Insights into methods and applications

Abstract

Laser capture microdissection is a non-molecular, minimally disruptive method to obtain cytologically and/or phenotypically defined cells or groups of cells from heterogeneous tissues. Its advantages include efficient rapid and precise procurement of cells. The potential disadvantages include time consuming, expensive, and limited by the need for a pathologist for recognition of distinct subpopulations within a specified sample. Overall it is versatile allowing the preparation of homogenous isolates of specific subpopulations of cells from which DNA/RNA or protein can be extracted for RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, next-generation sequencing, immunoblot blot analyses, and mass spectrometry.