For years, doctors have looked at tissue biopsies and spotted unusual cells that seem to have early signs of cancer. The problem is doctors have never had the right tools to extract the cells from the tissue, leaving them with no good way to confirm their observation while the tumor is in its early stages and most treatable. That is until now. By taking these cells directly from the tissue, the scientists say they can immediately analyze the cells' gene and enzyme activity with other research tools. Currently, scientists must attempt to extract, or microdissect, cells either by trying to yank them free with a manual tool or through a convoluted process of isolating and culturing the cells.
Most scientists say they consider both approaches to be tedious, time-consuming, and inefficient.
Laser capture microdissection gives us access to the disease, in a sense, while the crime is still in the planning stages, and that's really powerful information to have in designing strategies to halt the disease process. Upon spotting a group of tumor cells, for example, the scientist presses a button attached to the side of the microscope. The button activates the laser, which flashes a beam of light that has an intensity slightly greater than a laser pointer. The beam of light passes through the plastic film placed above the tissue sample and focuses onto the cells. In the process, the beam heats the plastic, giving it the thermal qualities of a piece of scotch tape.