The ability to isolate live, single cells and cellular entities in a sterile environment is prompting drug researchers to revisit laser microdissection. The technology ensures contamination-free samples, since nothing but light actually touches the sample.
Olympus' CellCut laser microdissection system, when used in conjunction with Olympus IX51 and IX71 inverted microscopes, allows the improved pinpointing of cells for isolation.
This is achieved by simply drawing freehand or via predfined geometric shapes using the operating software and a Pen Touch monitor, as many single cells or groups of cells as required can be encircled.
Selected cells or even cell compartments are then cut out automatically using a high-precision UV laser.
This is achieved via an optical bench design of the Olympus IX2 inverted microscopes without a limit placed on any fluorescence applications.
Up to 6 fluorescence filter modules are available and can be used according to users' specific needs and requirements.
Scientists have increasingly turned to laser microdissection to isolate single cells and sub-cellular regions of interest.
Lasers have traditionally been used as a cutting tool used to isolate cells for many applications in pathology, cancer, and medical diagnostics.
It has been used on almost all tissue types and samples, including frozen and paraffin-embedded tissues and live cells.
The solid-state, diode pumped UV laser of the CellCut ensures stability and provides accuracy, as it is focused through the Olympus UIS2 objective to a beam spot size of less than 1µm.
In addition, since laser cutting is a highly precise ablative process it produces a totally clean break between the required sample and surrounding tissue.
Specimens are mounted on a special membrane-covered frame and a glass slide placed underneath.
This effectively protects the sample against impurities in the environment, which is particularly crucial for any application involving DNA, or even RNA extraction, where it is essential to minimise contamination.
Microdissected samples are cleanly removed using the IsolationCap. This cap rests on the membrane and has no direct contact with the specimen, avoiding any form of contamination.
In addition, only the parts of the specimen that have been cut out adhere to the lid.
For higher throughput of extracted targets, a MultiCap collecting unit together with MultiSlide functionality are also available.
The MultiSlide option permits the simultanuous use of up to three membrane-mounted samples, while MultiCap encompasses a strip of up to 10 different IsolationCaps.
A key advantage of CellCut is its software, which provides better visual recognition of rare cells, such as for isolating foetal cells from maternal blood to monitor genetic defects in a developing foetus.
Its graphical user interface provides access to the control of all specific laser microdissection functions, as well as process and scanning routines.
Multiuser handling and multi grouping of selected targets is also possible. The software also ensures full documentation of all processes by creating a picture and text file with every new slide or microdissection job.
As an optional extra, the CellExplorer image recognition software package will automatically recognise and cut out specific targets set and defined by the user.
A spokewoman for Olympus told DrugResearcher.com: "The conventional microscopy market is stagnating, whereas the life science research market is growing."
"Microscopes in the research area are no longer offered as stand alone devices, but must be embedded in a complete system and fit to the individual needs of the customer and their special requirements."
Olympus' CellCut laser microdissection system, produced in combination with MMI Molecular Machines & Industries, is now available from Olympus' website.