Proteomic analysis of human bladder tissue using SELDI approach following microdissection techniques.

Lysing of a complete biopsy sample results in a mixture of desired and undesired proteins, reflecting the originating cell types. Therefore microdissecting tissue material is mandatory prior to sample lysis and all downstream applications of protein analysis (proteomics). The two most important dissecting methods for bladder tissue specimens are manual microdissection and laser microdissection. Sample transfer can further be separated into manual laser pressure catapulting (LPC) and laser capture microdissection (LCM). One of the possible downstream applications of protein analysis is surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization (SELDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The small quantities of tissue obtained by microdissection are sufficient for use in the SELDI technique.