6 Noncontact laser microdissection and pressure catapulting: A basic tool in genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics

Abstract

Noncontact Laser Microdissection and Pressure Catapulting: A Basic Tool in Genomics, Transcriptomics, and Proteomics Cellular dissection and micromanipulation techniques have become important in genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic research. Among various options for specimen capture, only the PALM laser microdissection system enables the transfer by means of focused laser light, which allows noncontact sample preparation—a paramount prerequisite for pure sample generation. The chapter discusses the noncontact laser microdissection and pressure catapulting, which is a basic tool in genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. The microdissection and capture system are based on the patented laser pressure catapulting (LPC) technology; in LPC, the sample transfer from the objective plane toward a collection device is solely driven by a laser-induced transportation process. In principle, a pulsed nitrogen laser is coupled through the epifluorescence path into an inverted microscope and focused to a micron-sized spot via the objective lenses. By this means, the microscope known as an opto-analytical device has become a most versatile micromanipulation tool: selected specimen of differing origins can be first laser microdissected and thereafter ejected directly into a capture device only by the force of focal light. Thus, the PALM micromanipulation system has no physical or mechanical contact to the specimen so the risk of contamination or infection of the isolated probes is minimized.