Shared Facilities: Laser Capture Microdissection
The Laser Capture Microdissection Shared Facility is located in the Carmichael Building. The Arcturus, Inc. micro-dissection instrument was purchased in 2000 with funds from the Brown Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology. The instrument is under the direction of Dr. James Wittliff, who in 2001 completed a one-year sabbatical at Arcturus, Inc., during which time he gained considerable experience with the dissection and molecular characterization of gene profiles from frozen breast tumor specimens over 15 years old.
LCM represents a major advancement in nondestructive cell sampling technology that can be applied to genomic and proteomic studies. This facility utilizes the PixCell IIeTM LCM System (Arcturus Instrumentation/Molecular Devices) composed of the LCM instrument, the CapSureTM Transfer Film Carrier and the PixCell IITM Image Archiving Workstation (Figure 1). The LCM station integrates a research grade inverted microscope, a low power infrared laser, a joystick-controlled stage and custom CapSureTM LCM Cap handling mechanism with a video monitor and controller. An LCM cap, which contains a thermal transfer film on the surface, is placed on the tissue section and the near-infrared laser is pulsed to melt the film. Cells selected in the scope adhere to the film, which solidifies instantaneously, capturing cells or complex structures in a noninvasive, nondestructive manner, allowing downstream genomic or proteomic analyses of pure cell populations. LCM may be used with a variety of staining methods, with either frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Currently the fluorescence microscopy LCM is not available. To evaluate differences between normal and diseased cells, cells or structures are procured by LCM (Figure 2) and extracted for DNA, RNA or protein analyses. Proper tissue procurement, specimen handling and cryo-preservation are essential for the collection of quality information from these analyses.
Services available include: 1) tissue processing and preservation for LCM, 2) collection of specific cell types or cellular structures, 3) extraction of DNA, RNA or protein, 4) consultation for experimental design, and 5) assistance with grant preparation. Hourly service charges are based on the complexity and duration of the job.
Contact: Dr. James Wittliff at jim.wittliff@louisville.edu or 852-5216.
back to Shared Facilities
Shared Facilities: Laser Capture Microdissection
The Laser Capture Microdissection Shared Facility is located in the Carmichael Building. The Arcturus, Inc. micro-dissection instrument was purchased in 2000 with funds from the Brown Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology. The instrument is under the direction of Dr. James Wittliff, who in 2001 completed a one-year sabbatical at Arcturus, Inc., during which time he gained considerable experience with the dissection and molecular characterization of gene profiles from frozen breast tumor specimens over 15 years old.
LCM represents a major advancement in nondestructive cell sampling technology that can be applied to genomic and proteomic studies. This facility utilizes the PixCell IIeTM LCM System (Arcturus Instrumentation/Molecular Devices) composed of the LCM instrument, the CapSureTM Transfer Film Carrier and the PixCell IITM Image Archiving Workstation (Figure 1). The LCM station integrates a research grade inverted microscope, a low power infrared laser, a joystick-controlled stage and custom CapSureTM LCM Cap handling mechanism with a video monitor and controller. An LCM cap, which contains a thermal transfer film on the surface, is placed on the tissue section and the near-infrared laser is pulsed to melt the film. Cells selected in the scope adhere to the film, which solidifies instantaneously, capturing cells or complex structures in a noninvasive, nondestructive manner, allowing downstream genomic or proteomic analyses of pure cell populations. LCM may be used with a variety of staining methods, with either frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Currently the fluorescence microscopy LCM is not available. To evaluate differences between normal and diseased cells, cells or structures are procured by LCM (Figure 2) and extracted for DNA, RNA or protein analyses. Proper tissue procurement, specimen handling and cryo-preservation are essential for the collection of quality information from these analyses.
Services available include: 1) tissue processing and preservation for LCM, 2) collection of specific cell types or cellular structures, 3) extraction of DNA, RNA or protein, 4) consultation for experimental design, and 5) assistance with grant preparation. Hourly service charges are based on the complexity and duration of the job.
Contact: Dr. James Wittliff at jim.wittliff@louisville.edu or 852-5216.
back to Shared Facilities