Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Laser-assisted Microdissection LAM as a Tool for Transcriptional Profiling of Individual Cell Types
Published on: May 10, 2016
An Improved Method for Cell Type-Selective Glycomic Analysis of Tissue Sections Assisted by Fluorescence Laser
Chiaki Nagai-Okatani1, Misugi Nagai2, Takashi Sato3
1Glycoscience and Glycotechnology Research Group, Biotechnology Research Institute for Drug Discovery, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan. chiaki-okatani@aist.go.jp.
This study introduces a new method combining laser microdissection with lectin microarray analysis for cell-specific glycomic profiling in tissues. This technique enables precise analysis of glycan structures in specific cell populations for biomarker discovery.
Area of Science:
- Glycomics
- Histochemistry
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Lectin microarray (LMA) provides global glycomic profiles of glycoproteins in tissues.
- Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues are challenging for detailed glycomic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a cell type-selective glycomic profiling method using laser microdissection (LMD) and LMA.
- To enable glycomic analysis of specific cell populations within tissue sections.
Main Methods:
- Optimized fluorescent histochemical staining and LMD for tissue fragment collection.
- Performed LMA on microdissected samples from mouse thymic sections.
- Validated cell type-specific profiling using lectin and antibody probes.
Main Results:
- Achieved reliable glycomic profiling from small tissue fragments (0.5 mm²).
- Demonstrated cell type-selective analysis, distinguishing glycomic profiles of different medullary subpopulations.
- Confirmed probe-specific recognition of distinct glycomic signatures.
Conclusions:
- The fluorescence LMD-LMA method allows for cell type-selective glycomic analysis of pathological specimens and animal models.
- This technique is valuable for discovering novel glyco-biomarkers.
- Enables precise glycomic profiling in complex biological samples.
Related Concept Videos
Types of Selection
Connective Tissue Cell Types
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
Method of Sections
Method of Sections: Problem Solving II
Method of Sections: Problem Solving I
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)

