Perfection of Dissection
Kerstin Pingel, Leica Microsystems
Laser microdissection (LMD ) allows researchers to selectively and routinely analyse microscopic regions of interest down tosingle cells. Applying this technique, scientists obtain results that are reproducible and specific. For laser microdissection, a microscopeis used to visualise small structures. The individual cells or cell clusters are subsequently selected using software, excisedfrom the surrounding tissue by a laser, and released into a collection device for analysis.
Leica Microsystems is a driving force of LMD instrumentationtechnology. For the first time, high laserpower and high laser repetition rates are combinedwithin one instrument – the Leica LMD 7000 system.The laser’s high pulse repetition rate is ideal for thefast excision of regions of interest from thin and softsamples. Additionally, high laser power allows thedissection of thick and hard specimens. Both, laserrepetition rate and power, can be adjusted to thesample.
The Leica LMD 7000 as well as the Leica LMD 6500laser microdissection systems use gravity for specimencollection. The dissected material, independentof its size or shape, is collected in a contact-free,contamination-free manner for further analysis. Noadditional procedures are necessary for collection.The laser beam movement of the Leica LMD systemis controlled by high precision optics, whereas themicroscope stage and the sample are both fixed.This allows high cutting speed at low magnificationsas well as precise cutting accuracy at highmagnifications, which is a prerequisite to obtain homogeneousmaterial for downstream analysis andreliable results.
The Leica LMD 7000 and Leica LMD 6500 lasermicrodissection systems are the ideal instrumentsfor dissecting live cells, single cells, and specificcell clusters for biomarker research, molecular pathology,and many more applications.
- Specimen collection by gravity – contact-freeand contamination-free.
- Movement of the laser beam via optics – for thehighest possible precision and cutting speed.
- Integration of a flexible, adjustable laser – forthe highest feasible power and thinnest cuttinglines at the same time.
- Fig. 1: The full two-screen support of the Leica Microsystems LMD software offers new possibilities, such as a two screen solution with an optional pen-screen for drawing and a second screen for viewing with all the necessary controls.
- Fig. 2: Frozen section (10 μm) of a mouse aorta (whole vessel) stained with cresyl violet on a POL frame slide. Courtesy of K. Beuerlein, Rudolf-Buchheim-Institut für Pharmakologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen.
- Fig. 3: Dissection of mouse hippocampus, 12 μm thick section, stained with Toluidin blue