LCM Technology Assists Scientists in the Study of Early Cancer
From: Jonathan (allen23@asiamail.com)
Wed, 20 Dec 2000 23:21:05 -0600 (CST)
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. In
this week's issue of the journal Science,* a team of researchers at the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) report on a powerful new technique,
called laser capture microdissection, that can pull out a small cluster
of cells from a tissue sample in as little as 8 seconds. 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.
Current research has demonstrated the compatibility of LCM with Q PCR
(Real time)
There are currently 2 sets installed in singapore and up an coming sites
as well.
The sales and Marketing of the LM200 in this region is handled by
Olympus Singapore....
--
A.J.
