Cutting-edge precision profiling of specific cell populations using a Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) system

激光捕获显微切割（LCM）是一种允许在显微镜上视觉识别特定细胞群，然后用激光切割并收集用于分析的方法。该系统有各种不同的应用，例如，它可以用于收集大脑中受疾病影响的特定细胞类型，然后将其与收集到不同容器中的未受影响的细胞进行比较。该系统还可用于比较不同区域，例如分离肺部的特定结构，或收集肿瘤样本，然后将其与相邻的健康细胞进行比较。各种各样的不同类型的样品可以用这种显微镜进行研究，包括新鲜的活检，冷冻或固定的尸体解剖，甚至在培养皿中生长的细胞。我们计划购买的LCM是Leica LMD 6，它是接触式的，因此没有污染，因为激光用于切割，然后通过重力收集样品。系统中的激光器速度快、精度高、免维护、寿命长，可由用户自行调节，可采集多种不同类型的样品。LMD6系统的一个令人兴奋的功能是它具有自动检测模式（ADM），用户在屏幕上绘制感兴趣的细胞，然后软件将其用作模板来切割剩余的样品，这节省了大量时间，意味着可以收集更多的样品。这将是西南地区唯一一台配备自动化软件的LCM，这意味着它可以吸引外部用户以及埃克塞特大学的大量研究人员使用。在埃克塞特大学，我们目前有17个小组负责人，代表总共46名研究人员，他们计划在安装后使用该系统。这包括对人类健康和疾病的许多领域感兴趣的研究人员，包括大脑疾病，肺部疾病，糖尿病，感染，癌症，发育和衰老。LCM将位于最先进的建筑中，这是埃克塞特大学与皇家德文郡和埃克塞特（RD&E）NHS信托校园之间的合作伙伴关系。由于这座建筑是一个临床研究设施（CRF）和一个生物资源中心的所在地，因此也可能对NHS临床团队的设备感兴趣。

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is a method that allows specific populations of cells to be visually identified on a microscope and then cut out with a laser and collected for analysis. There are a wide variety of different applications for the system, for example it could be used to collect a particular cell type in the brain that is affected by disease, and then compare it to unaffected cells that are collected into a different container. The system also can be useful for comparing different regions, for example to isolate a particular structure in the lungs, or to collect a tumour sample and then compare it to neighbouring healthy cells. A wide variety of different sample types can be studied with this microscope, including fresh biopsies, frozen or fixed autopsies, or even cells grown in a dish. The LCM we plan to purchase is the Leica LMD6, which is contact and therefore contamination free, as a laser is used for cutting and the sample is then collected via gravity. The laser in the system is fast, accurate, maintenance-free, long-life and is adjustable by the user so that can collect many different types of samples. One exciting feature of the LMD6 system is that it has an Auto Detection Mode (ADM), where the user draws around the cells of interest on the screen, and then the software uses this as a template to cut across the rest of the sample, which saves a lot of time and means more sample can be collected. This would be the only LCM in the South West with automated software, meaning it can attract usage from external users as well as the large number of researchers at the University of Exeter who already plan to use the machine. At the University of Exeter, we currently have 17 group leaders, representing in total 46 researchers, who plan to use the system when installed. This includes researchers interested in lots of areas of human health and disease, including brain disorders, lung disease, diabetes, infection, cancer, development and ageing. The LCM will be located in a state-of-the-art building, which is a partnership between the University of Exeter and the Royal Devon and Exeter (RD&E) NHS Trust campus. As this building is home to a Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and a BioResource Centre, there is likely to also be interest in the equipment from clinical teams in the NHS.