Leica LMD6 & LMD7 Microdissection laser

This curated list features recent scientific publications that have employed Leica’s LMD6 and LMD7 laser microdissection systems in key areas such as cancer research, neuroscience, molecular pathology, forensics, and spatial omics. It is updated regularly to reflect the latest scientific publications utilizing laser microdissection applications.

Explore the full list below to see how Leica LMD systems are enabling scientific success across the globe.

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Single Cell Applications

A molecularly defined neural circuit for cold defense revealed by targeted single-nucleus transcriptomic mapping
Wu Y, Liu Z, Xiong T, Fan L, Chen Y, Duan X, Liu Y, Jing H, Liu X, Zhu Q, Zhang S, Liang W, Lu X, Ji SJ, Chen W, Zhu Y, Zhai J, Song K
Research Square, May 27th, 2026

Expanding the landscape of tRNA pathogenic variants in mitochondrial DNA
Siragusa SL, Blando S, Fiorini C, Pasti AP, Ormanbekova D, Casadei F, Morandi L, Pegoraro E, Liguori R, Carelli V, La Morgia C, Caporali L, Valentino ML
Brain Communications, fcag178, 20 May 2026, doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcag178

Deep visual proteomics uncovers nociceptor diversity and pain targets
Chakrabarti S, Makhmut A, Mohammadi A, Luo W, Wang L, Lewin GR, Coscia F
Nat Commun. 2026 Apr 11;17(1):3437. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-71418-8.

Spatial Genomics (DNA-Reserach)

Clonal origin and early lineage divergence in adenosquamous carcinoma
Poulain F, Malassigné V, Roncarati P, Puech J, Imbeaud S, Zucman-Rossi J, Crum CP, Delvenne P, Hubert P, Péré H, Veyer D, Herfs M
Cell Rep. 2026 May 28;45(6):117470. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117470.

Expanding the landscape of tRNA pathogenic variants in mitochondrial DNA
Siragusa SL, Blando S, Fiorini C, Pasti AP, Ormanbekova D, Casadei F, Morandi L, Pegoraro E, Liguori R, Carelli V, La Morgia C, Caporali L, Valentino ML
Brain Communications, fcag178, 20 May 2026, doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcag178

Polyclonal selection of immune checkpoint mutations in thyroid autoimmunity
Nicola PA, Lawson ARJ, Tidd A, Imbert J, Ishida Y, Wylie LA, Scott PA, Roberts K, Harvey LMR, Lensing SV, Cheng W, Abascal F, Leongamornlert D, Hooks Y, Mayho M, Müller-Sienerth N, Widaa S, Mincarelli L, Illing J, Peci F, Ng BL, Jarman GL, Russell AJC, Mahbubani KTA, Saeb-Parsy K, Paterson AL, Chatterjee K, Rahbari R, Bayraktar OA, Stratton MR, Campbell PJ, Tadross JA, Schoenmakers N, Martincorena I
Nature. 2026 Apr 14. doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10493-9.

Spatial Transcriptomics (RNA Research)

POINTseq: Cell-type-specific barcoding reveals single-cell projection architecture of the mouse dopaminergic system
Kim H, Xu C, Washington C, Shi C, Lowman M, Kebschull JM
Neuron. 2026 Jun 4:S0896-6273(26)00376-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2026.05.005.

The development of Breast Apocrine Carcinoma (BAC) score that distinguishes breast and cutaneous apocrine carcinomas
Kawashima K, Yamada A, Fallon EA, Fujita R, Sasamoto M, Oshi M, Narui K, Ishikawa H, Harada J, Yamaguchi Y, Fujii S, Ishikawa T, Endo I, Takabe K
Research Square, May 26th, 2026

Spatially microdissected profiling of tonsillar germinal centers reveals a KLRG1-enriched immune signature in IgA nephropathy
Kawabe M, Yamamoto I, Ohki Y, Hayashi A, Kanzaki G, Matsumoto K, Ueda H, Hirano K, Tsuboi N, Yokoo T
Front. Immunol., 22 May 2026, Sec. Mucosal Immunity, Volume 17 - 2026

Proteomics, Lipidomics, Metabolomics

Fully Integrated Sample Preparation-Based Spatial Proteomic Analysis
Kong Q, Wang X, Tian R
In: Frankel, T.L., Rao, A. (eds) Cellular Spatial Characterization and Analysis (2026). Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2995. Humana, New York, NY. 

A hierarchical lectin-based multimodal workflow for spatial mapping of extracellular matrix glycans in fibrotic hearts
Boottanun P, Nagai-Okatani C, Kawanishi K, Baba M, Nakatsukasa T, Ishizu T, Angata K, Kuno
Anal Bioanal Chem. 2026 Apr 27. doi: 10.1007/s00216-026-06501-6.

AI-powered Deep Visual Proteomics reveals critical molecular transitions in pancreatic cancer precursors
Min J, Schweizer L, Zonderland G, Chellakkan Selvanesan B, Thomsen JH, Oldenburg L, Bae SW, Kim B, Hernandez SD, Jez G, Bernard V, Swanson BJ, Klute KA, Wang H, Caffrey TC, Grandgenett PM, Hollingsworth MA, Ummat I, Strauss MT, Mund A, Maitra A
Cancer Discov. 2026 Apr 21. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-25-1119.

Deep Visual Proteomics (DVP) related

Light-driven spatial proteomics: Photocatalytic strategies for mapping protein microenvironments
Somalwar N, Nan X, Emili A
Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2026 May 13;93:102696. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2026.102696.

Evolution in single-cell proteomics drives new frontiers in cancer biology and precision medicine
Liu Y, Du Y, Su R, and Chen 
Cancer Biol Med 2026. doi: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2025.0464

AI-powered Deep Visual Proteomics reveals critical molecular transitions in pancreatic cancer precursors
Min J, Schweizer L, Zonderland G, Chellakkan Selvanesan B, Thomsen JH, Oldenburg L, Bae SW, Kim B, Hernandez SD, Jez G, Bernard V, Swanson BJ, Klute KA, Wang H, Caffrey TC, Grandgenett PM, Hollingsworth MA, Ummat I, Strauss MT, Mund A, Maitra A
Cancer Discov. 2026 Apr 21. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-25-1119.

Fluorescence Applications

A molecularly defined neural circuit for cold defense revealed by targeted single-nucleus transcriptomic mapping
Wu Y, Liu Z, Xiong T, Fan L, Chen Y, Duan X, Liu Y, Jing H, Liu X, Zhu Q, Zhang S, Liang W, Lu X, Ji SJ, Chen W, Zhu Y, Zhai J, Song K
Research Square, May 27th, 2026

Deep visual proteomics uncovers nociceptor diversity and pain targets
Chakrabarti S, Makhmut A, Mohammadi A, Luo W, Wang L, Lewin GR, Coscia F
Nat Commun. 2026 Apr 11;17(1):3437. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-71418-8.

Pathogenic Role of SERPINB3-positive Neutrophils in Reinforcing Thrombus Stiffening during Ischemic Stroke
Zang J, Lu A, Yang B, Tan N, Liu Q, Wei L, Liang Y, Zhou S, Tan Z, Xin X, He S, Wu P, Li Y, Xu Z, Su X, Mai H, Xu A, Lu D
Blood. 2026 Mar 3:blood.2025029516. doi: 10.1182/blood.2025029516.

Cancer Research

Clonal origin and early lineage divergence in adenosquamous carcinoma
Poulain F, Malassigné V, Roncarati P, Puech J, Imbeaud S, Zucman-Rossi J, Crum CP, Delvenne P, Hubert P, Péré H, Veyer D, Herfs M
Cell Rep. 2026 May 28;45(6):117470. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117470.

ZNF274 constrains lineage plasticity and drives intrinsic resistance to CDK7 inhibitors in pancreatic cancer
Gianopulos JE, Schutter A, Dobersch S, Wallace-Povirk A, Kogut SE, Doak A, Chanana P, Ge S, Mangino L, Yamamoto N, Boila LD, Padilla-Galvez M, Hui J, Rhoads N, Gifford RJ, Cheung KJ, Blanco-Melo D, Notta F, Kugel S
Nat Commun. 2026 May 23. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-73380-x.

Molecular Analysis of Biliary Tract Neoplasms Associated with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Shirashi T, Ishida H, Matsuyama T, Chika N, Mori Y, Tanabe N, Eguchi H, Okazaki Y, Ogura T, Fujinuma I, Yamaguchi T, and Takayama
Journal of the Anus, Rectum and Colon, Online ISSN : 2432-3853, 2026 Vol 10 Issue 2, Pages 270-277

Neurosciences

POINTseq: Cell-type-specific barcoding reveals single-cell projection architecture of the mouse dopaminergic system
Kim H, Xu C, Washington C, Shi C, Lowman M, Kebschull JM
Neuron. 2026 Jun 4:S0896-6273(26)00376-4. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2026.05.005.

A molecularly defined neural circuit for cold defense revealed by targeted single-nucleus transcriptomic mapping
Wu Y, Liu Z, Xiong T, Fan L, Chen Y, Duan X, Liu Y, Jing H, Liu X, Zhu Q, Zhang S, Liang W, Lu X, Ji SJ, Chen W, Zhu Y, Zhai J, Song K
Research Square, May 27th, 2026

Spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression changes in the mouse dentate gyrus following entorhinal denervation
Schlaudraff J, Del Turco D, Key J, Deller T, Auburger G
Front. Mol. Neurosci., 19 May 2026, Sec. Neuroplasticity and Development, Volume 19 - 2026

Clinical/Pathology/Immunology Research Applications

Activation of α7nAChR Signaling Preserves Podocyte Structure and Suppresses Inflammatory Injury in Sepsis-Associated AKI
Wu HC, Yang, A, Shimoyama K, YamamotoR, Umene R, Nakamura Y, Zhang Y, Inoue T
Research Square, 25th May 2026

Spatially microdissected profiling of tonsillar germinal centers reveals a KLRG1-enriched immune signature in IgA nephropathy
Kawabe M, Yamamoto I, Ohki Y, Hayashi A, Kanzaki G, Matsumoto K, Ueda H, Hirano K, Tsuboi N, Yokoo T
Front. Immunol., 22 May 2026, Sec. Mucosal Immunity, Volume 17 - 2026

Robot-Assisted Pyeloplasty in Elderly Patients: A Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis of Safety and Surgical Outcomes
Mori K, Shiba I, Shiono Y, Hirano S, Koguchi D, Ikeda M, Ishii D, Iwamura M, Matsumoto K
Int J Urol. 2026 May;33(5):e70479. doi: 10.1111/iju.70479.

Developmental Research, Epigenetics & Aging

Reconstructing development of a human embryo using somatic mutations
Dave M
thesis, March 2026

Fetal inflammatory signals regulate maternal investment during marsupial pregnancy
Stadtmauer DJ, Maziarz JD, Griffith OW, Wagner GP
PLoS Biol. 2026 Feb 24;24(2):e3003670. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003670.

A high-quality RNA-yielding protocol for laser capture microdissection of transplanted stem cell-derived Islets of Langerhans
Norman D, Lau J
Acta Diabetol. 2026 Feb 9. doi: 10.1007/s00592-026-02654-z.

Plant Research

Extração de RNA total de células-alvo  isoladas por microdissecção a laser
Schietti R, Faria DA, Aguiar NN, Araujo ACG
Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia. Circular Técnica, 100

Spongy mesophyll cell death is induced by jasmonic acid during leaf senescence in chrysanthemum
Song J, Zhang Y, Hu X, Shao Z, Song A, Jiang J, Chen S, Chen F, Wang L
Plant Cell. 2026 Mar 26:koag095. doi: 10.1093/plcell/koag095.

PtrSHR1 coordinates vascular cambium proliferation and xylem lignin biosynthesis to regulate wood formation in Populus trichocarpa
Zhao J, Chen Y, Dai X, Su L, Zhai R, Sun Y, Ji P, Wang H, Li S, Zhou C, Tobimatsu Y, Umezawa T, Chiang VL, Li W
Plant Cell. 2026 Mar 23:koag091. doi: 10.1093/plcell/koag091.

Forensics

Separation and identification of two-individual mixed bloodstains using human neutrophil antigen-1 antibodies
Xia X, Zheng JL, Wang SW, Liu Z, Li Z, Wang DY, Li XN, Wu X, Yao J
Int J Legal Med. 2026 Jan 27. doi: 10.1007/s00414-026-03718-z.

Invisible WItness: Innovations in the Collection of Touch DNA and the Risk of Forensic Corss Contamination
Irfan M, Haider SA, Yasir M, Akram MA, Adeel M
FORENSIC INSIGHTS AND HEALTH SCIENCES BULLETIN, Volume 3: Issue 2: 2025

Advancements in differentiation between sperm cells and epithelial cells for efficient forensic DNA analysis in sexual assault cases
Dash HR
Int J Legal Med. 2024 Jul 12. doi: 10.1007/s00414-024-03285-1.

Miscellaneous

Development and Validation of a HAUS-Related Prognostic Signature in Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multi-Omics Integration from PanCancer Analysis to Single-Cell Resolution
Liu Y, Liu K, Ding Y, Li X, Shi X, Zhang J, Zhang X, Peng W, Deng J & Chen J
Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, 598179, DOI: 10.2147/JHC.S598179

Cryptosporidium secreted proteins form a complex layered interface with the host cell
Puthenpurackal A, Sanchez SM, Schaer T, Falconnet L, Niu C, Vadas O, Guérin A
PLoS Pathog. 2026 May 14;22(5):e1014212. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1014212.

Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Proteomics: Methodological Innovations and Research Applications in Modern Biomedical Research
Nagshabandi LN, AlHammadi SA, Sukkarieh HH, and Aljada A
Annals of Studen research, 12 May 2026, Review Article, pages 2-27

Live Cell Culture

Cyanobacterial extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) produced at high CO2 enhance sequestration of heavy metals into mineral precipitate
Rajapitamahuni S, Khilyas IV, Kusibu MM, Cohen MF, Kamennaya NA
Sci Rep. 2026 May 14. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-53196-x.

Deep visual proteomics uncovers nociceptor diversity and pain targets
Chakrabarti S, Makhmut A, Mohammadi A, Luo W, Wang L, Lewin GR, Coscia F
Nat Commun. 2026 Apr 11;17(1):3437. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-71418-8.

Muscle Structure and Function Recovery: Adalimumab-Calcium Channel Synergy in Post-Ischemic Stroke Sarcopenia
Qi H, Zhang XW, Zhang ZY, Ou SS, Gao YL, Tian D, Jiang YN, Min XR, Zhao AT, Zou JM, Zeng JS, Pu QY, Yang RC, Zeng N
J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2025 Dec;16(6):e70097. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.70097.

Ultrasensitive proteomics uncovers nociceptor diversity and novel pain targets
Chakrabarti S, Makhmut A, Mohammadi A, Luo W, Wang L, Lewin GR, Coscia F
bioRxiv, Sept 21, 2025

Laser microdissection (LMD) is an advanced, highly precise sample preparation technique that enables researchers to isolate pure, defined regions of interest, including single cells, from complex tissue samples. The method ensures reproducibility and accuracy for downstream analyses such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) including RNA-seq, and mass spectrometry for spatial genomics, spatial transcriptomics, spatial proteomics & spatial multiomics.

LMD allows non-contact dissection, isolation and gravity-assisted collection of targeted single cells, tissue compartments, cell clusters and even subcellular structures under visual control. These systems uniquely bridge microscopy and molecular biology to unlock true spatial omics insights. Combined with software-guided segmentation, Leica LMD systems enable high throughput workflows for biomarker discovery and identification of therapeutical interaction points. The study by Mund & Coscia et al., describing the Deep Visual Proteomics (DVP) workflow powered by the Leica LMD7 system, was featured on the cover of Nature Biotechnology in August 2022.  Follow-up research by Nordmann et al., published in Nature in 2024, demonstrated how DVP contributed to a life-saving therapy for toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a deadly skin disease. These breakthroughs also contributed to the selection of “spatial proteomics” as Nature’s Method of the Year 2024.