The PALM MicroBeam System is a non-contact sampling technology designed for the precise isolation of single cells or cell populations from human, animal or plant tissue sections, enabling the recovery of DNA, RNA, and proteins. At the core of this system is the innovative Laser Microdissection and Pressure Catapulting (LMPC) technology, which integrates laser microdissection with laser-assisted transfer. This unique approach allows for the isolation and removal of target cells, free from adjacent tissue, without any mechanical contact. The result is pure, contaminant-free, and well-defined specimen material, ideal for downstream analysis.

The system supports various sample types, including fixed specimens using membrane-scaffold slides optimized for LMPC, standard slides requiring no intermediate preparation, and live samples in petri dishes, enabling reliable isolation and re-cultivation of living cells. Additionally, the PALM MicroBeam System is equipped with both brightfield and fluorescence imaging capabilities to enhance versatility.

Laser Microdissection offers a wide range of applications across multiple disciplines. In pathology, it facilitates the separation of diseased tissue from healthy tissue for molecular analysis, improving the accuracy of diagnosing heterogeneous tumors. The system is capable of cutting through all types of human tissue, including bone, and is extensively used in fields such as cancer research, oncology, neurology, infection research, immunology, stem cell research, developmental biology, and other areas of biomedical science. Importantly, it enhances molecular data by adding spatial information about individual cells, providing a critical dimension to omics research.

Beyond its biomedical applications, laser capture microdissection is also valuable in crop science and plant research, as it allows precise cutting of different types of plant tissue. This technology plays a significant role in basic and clinical research as well as in diagnostics and forensics, showcasing its versatility and impact across scientific disciplines.

– Microscope Stand: Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1

– Digital Cameras: 

                | Axiocam MRc Rev.3 (1388 × 1040 pixels; pixel size: 6.45 × 6.45 µm)       

– Software: 

                | Axiovision 4.8 with Multichannel Fluorescence module

                | RoboSoftware 4.6 Pro

– Laser Microdissection Collectors: 

                | Collector Single Tube II 500

                | Tube collector 8×200

                | Live cell collector

– Protocols: 

                | Zeiss Publication: LCM Protocol for RNA: FFPE (PDF)

                | Zeiss Publication: LCM Protocol for RNA: frozen (PDF)

                | Zeiss Publication: Laser Microdissection: a Key Technology for Microproteomics (PDF)