Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Laser Microdissection for Species-Agnostic Single-Tissue Applications
Published on: March 31, 2022
[Laser microdissection of a single cell from colon tissue for gene analysis]
Xin Shi1, Nai-Rong Gao, Hao-Lin Hu
1Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Aim:
To investigate the method of detecting gene expression in colon tissue at a single cell level.
Methods:
Individual cell(s) were picked up from colon frozen section using laser microdissection. RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed to complementary DNA (cDNA). cDNA was then analyzed by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR) using two pairs of primers.
Results:
Single cell(s) were selectively picked up using an ultraviolet laser micromanipulator. RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed and used for nested RT-PCR. Amplification products of cDNA from down to a single cell could be clearly visualized in the agarose gel.
Conclusion:
The combined utilization of laser microdissection and nested RT-PCR provides an opportunity to analyze gene expression at single cell(s) level in colon tissue.
