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Laser Capture Microdissection pp 167–185Cite as

Laser Microdissection and RNA Analysis

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 293))

Abstract

Microdissection techniques have become an important tool to link histomorphology and pathophysiological events using modern methods of molecular biology. They allow isolation of cell clusters or even single cells precisely under optical control from complex tissue structures for further analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. In particular, the fragile RNA molecules can be preserved during microdissection so that gene expression and regulation measurement become feasible in a cell type-specific manner within complex tissues. This report focuses on and outlines the procedures for RNA investigation, from tissue fixation, sectioning, and staining to downstream applications (RT-PCR, mRNA quantification, and mRNA preamplification). Standards for the preparation of RNA from frozen and formalin-fixed tissues are presented. Specific protocols are given for both the isolation of RNA from small numbers of cells (50 cells) as well as for larger cell numbers. While most of the procedures are identical for the microdissection systems, special features of each technique are mentioned.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany

    Ludger Fink

  2. Department of Pathology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany

    Rainer Maria Bohle

Authors
  1. Ludger Fink
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  2. Rainer Maria Bohle
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK

    Graeme I. Murray  & Stephanie Curran  & 

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc.

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Fink, L., Bohle, R.M. (2005). Laser Microdissection and RNA Analysis. In: Murray, G.I., Curran, S. (eds) Laser Capture Microdissection. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 293. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-853-6:167

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-853-6:167

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-260-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-853-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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