How to improve your DNA Mutation Analysis Workflow with Laser Microdissection

Typically, special membrane-based slides are used for laser microdissection. Sample preparation for LMD is straightforward, and can be derived from classical preparations for histology.

Paraffin embedding brings the tissue sample into a constitution which can be cut into thin slices. Alternatively you can utilize cryo-sectioning to prepare your slides. If fresh cancerous tissue is available, you should prefer cryo-sectioning to preserve nucleic acids from degradation.

We will deliver the suitable LMD slides for your application.

In general paraffin sections or frozen sections can be used. Here we will outline the use of frozen sections.

Sample slides should be fixed and stained right after cryo-sectioning with acetone, ethanol or a mixture of ethanol and acetic acid.

H&E is a common histology stain, where Hematoxylin stains the nuclei, and eosin stains the cytoplasm.

H&E staining is suitable for both paraffin and frozen sections.

Leica LMD systems can generate an automatic sample overview that can be used to easily navigate to your regions of interest (ROI).

Your ROIs can be identified and marked automatically by the AVC software module, or you can apply shapes manually. 

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Next, the defined ROIs are precisely dissected by the laser under visual control and directly collected via gravity. Visually controlled excision prevents mixing tumor material with healthy cells which distort the result. The collection via gravity allows for the use of standard, cost-effective consumables such as PCR tubes or 8-strip tubes.

Also, you can cut your samples directly on the fly with the "Move and Cut" tool, without any predefined shapes.

We provide the appropriate LMD system according to your needs.

Leica Microsystems recommends the high-quality QIAGEN kits (QIAamp^® DNA Micro Kit) for preparation of nucleic acids.

They can be immediately used in downstream applications such as PCR, sequencing, quantitative, real-time PCR, or can be stored at –20°C until needed.

Please refer to www.qiagen.com for details.

DNA mutation analysis is done via next generation sequencing (NGS).

Other technologies like Pyrosequencing or classical DNA Sanger sequencing are applicable as well.