MDS Analytical Technologies has released new options to expand and streamline laser capture microdissection (LCM) applications.
The offering includes new modular stage inserts for the ArcturusXT and Veritas LCM instruments and motorised controls for many ArcturusXT system components.
These will enhance the flexibility of the Arcturus LCM instruments to perform sensitive and specific molecular analysis in such fields as stem-cell research, cancer research, proteomics and drug discovery.
Andy Boorn, president of MDS, said: 'New stage inserts for the Arcturus LCM instruments eliminate sample preparation constraints for neurobiologists performing microdissection, providing more versatility and flexibility with which to execute experiments.
'By optimising the efficiency of the microdissection process through motorisation and having dual laser capabilities, the ArcturusXT instrument provides faster, easier access to pure cell populations.' New stage inserts have been developed for the ArcturusXT and Veritas LCM systems to allow neuroscientists to perform microdissection on fixed neuronal sections.
These inserts accommodate larger slide formats common to neurological sample preparations.
The stage inserts can be adjusted by the user to hold 25, 38 and 50mm slides.
The two available slide positions may be configured to allow the use of multiple slide sizes during one microdissection session, providing improved experimental flexibility.
Motorisation of the ArcturusXT has accelerated live cell microdissection, phase contrast and differential interference contrast illumination.
This motorisation augments the automation of the instrument and allows researchers to rapidly switch between brightfield and alternate illumination methods with a single software command.
