Patent ID: 7381440

Claim:
A method for microdissecting histopathologically processed tissue/cell materials comprising the steps of: providing a receiving substrate or collection vessel; providing a target substrate comprising a photon-transparent support, a photon absorbent interlayer coated on the support, and a transfer material comprising histopathologically processed or frozen tissue/cell materials characterized by cellular heterogeneity coated on top of the interlayer opposite to the support; wherein the interlayer comprises a metal oxide; providing a source of photon energy; selecting particular cells, groups of cells, or sub-cellular regions to be microdissected from the tissue by the photon energy; and directing the photon energy through the transparent support so that it strikes the interlayer; wherein a portion of the interlayer is energized by absorption of the photon energy; and wherein the energized interlayer causes a transfer of the particular cells, groups of cells, or sub-cellular regions across a gap between the target substrate and the receiving substrate or collection vessel and onto the receiving substrate or into the collection vessel.