Neuroscience Research with Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM)

The blood–brain barrier is formed by the brain capillary endothelium and plays a neuroprotective role in healthy brain function. For researchers studying gene expression within the central nervous system vasculature, endothelial heterogeneity can pose a challenge. Whole tissue samples—homogenates of brain and or spinal cord, for example—are composed of multiple endothelial cell types from different regions of the CNS, resulting in a pooling of cells and an unclear characterization of endothelial cell subtypes.

Arcturus LCM instruments enables gentle, selective isolation of specific cells from heterogeneous tissue, protecting biomolecule integrity and allowing researchers to uncover hidden molecular signals, revealing more accurate profiles of highly complex neurovasculature.

Example LCM workflow for neuroscience research

 

1Isolate
 

Isolate and capture pure samples with the Arcturus LCM Instruments.

 
2Generate cDNA
 

Generate cDNA with SuperScript® III Reverse Transcriptase.

 
3 Amplify cDNA
 

Amplify cDNA to maximize the use of your pure, precious sample with TaqMan® PreAmp Master Mix.

 
4Profile
 

Profile gene expression in your sample with TaqMan® Low-Density Array Card and 7500 Real-Time PCR System.

   

Video: Dr. Pachter From the Bench

Dr. Joel Pachter, Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Connecticut Health Center, discusses the genetic profiling of microvessels to monitor progression of inflammatory disease. Learn how Dr. Pachter used the Life Technologies™ LCM/qPCR workflow to explore the development of pharmacotherapies to address diseases associated with the blood–brain barrier.

Literature

  Rapid expression profiling of brain microvascular endothelial cells by immuno-laser capture microdissection coupled to TaqMan(®) low density array.
J Neurosci Methods. 2012;206(2):200-204.
Demarest TG, Murugesan N, Shrestha B, Pachter JS.

  Quantitative proteomics in laser capture microdissected sleep nuclei from rat brain.
J Neurogenet. 2014. 28(1-2):136-45.
Miller RA, Winrow CJ, Spellman DS, Song Q, Reiss DR, Conway JP, Taylor RR, Coleman PJ, Hendrickson RC, Renger JJ.

Resources
Technologies

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.