The role of tissue microdissection in cancer research

Tissue microdissection is a laboratory method that is used to procure speci fic cells or cell populations from a histology slide under direct microscop ic visualization. The recovered cells can be studied with a variety of DNA, messenger RNA, and protein analysis methods, including new high-throughput gene expression and proteomics technologies. This approach is permitting i nvestigators to comprehensively examine the molecular anatomy of cells in t issue sections for the first time. This article reviews the development and evolution of tissue microdissection techniques, summarizes examples of res earch studies, and discusses related challenges that the research community must address. Additional information and complete laboratory protocols are available on a website at http://cgap-mf.nih.gov/.