[Laser microdissection applications in histology: an open way to molecular studies].

One of the most fascinating aspects of the use of a laser beam in the field of biology has emerged with the development of devices able to perform fine dissections of biological tissues. Laser microdissection can collect phenotypically identical cells from tissue regions laid on a microscope slide in order to make differential molecular analyses on these microdissected cells. Laser microdissection can be used many areas including oncology to specify molecular mechanisms that enable to adapt a treatment related to diagnosis and research in biology, but also forensic science for tissue selection, neurology for post-mortem studies on patients with Alzheimer's disease, for clonality studies from cell cultures and cytogenetics to decipher chromosomal rearrangements.

Beyond laser microdissection technology: follow the yellow brick road for cancer research.

Normal biological tissues harbour different populations of cells with intricate spacial distribution patterns resulting in heterogeneity of their overall cellular composition. Laser microdissection involving direct viewing and expertise by a pathologist, enables access to defined cell populations or specific region on any type of tissue sample, thus selecting near-pure populations of targeted cells. It opens the way for molecular methods directed towards well-defined populations, and provides also a powerful tool in studies focused on a limited number of cells.