A new molecular biology approach in morphology: basic method and application of laser microdissection.

Our understanding of the role played by specific genes in various diseases is advanced as elucidation of the human genome progresses. One important step in this process is profiling gene expression so as to understand the roles of specific genes and the role of the translated protein. Profiling of the gene should also include tissue generation and an explanation of the mechanism of the disease. A useful technique in achieving this goal is the laser microdissection (LMD) method, which can draw genetic information from tissues of individual patients. We describe herein our technique using a special film which we developed and laser microdissection by the Palm Co. With this LMD method, RNA was extracted from carcinoma tissue and genetic analysis was carried out. LMD is equivalent to pathological diagnosis, and it is necessary to do dissection for accurate diagnosis. It seems to make clear gene pathological diagnosis possible in the future. Copyright 2004 The Clinical Electron Microscopy Society of Japan