Next-generation Laser Capture Microdissection System

MDS Analytical Technologies recently announced the launch of the next-generation ArcturusXTâ„¢ Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) system. The
ArcturusXT™ system uses the latest advances in microscope technology by employing the new Nikon® Eclipse Ti-E inverted research microscope
as its base.
The new ArcturusXTâ„¢ system is an advanced version of the first system introduced in 2007. It is the only fully open and modular
microdissection system to combine infrared laser-enabled LCM and
ultraviolet (UV) laser cutting in a single system. This new technology offers benefits to researchers by improving speed, precision and flexibility during the microdissection process – shortening the length of time required for experiments.
The ArcturusXTâ„¢ system maintains biomolecular integrity within the microdissected samples for use in downstream analyses. Whether researchers are using LCM alone or in combination with the UV cutting option, the MDS-exclusive infrared laser capture technology allows for custody of the sample to be maintained throughout the microdissection process. This gives researchers confidence and assurance that the desired material has been collected. The enriched populations of cells collected through this process allow researchers to perform sensitive and specific molecular analyses, otherwise not possible without the use of LCM.
To automatically identify cells for microdissection, MDS Analytical Technologies recently introduced the AutoScanXTâ„¢ Image Analysis software
module. This module significantly increases the ArcturusXTâ„¢ system ease of use, while reducing the time to perform experiments for colorimetric-, fluorescence-, and IHC-stained specimens. Instead of the labor-intensive task of manually selecting each cell or region of interest for analysis, researchers can set the parameters within the AutoScanXTâ„¢ software to automatically mark those areas for microdissection.
The superior optics of the Nikon® microscope make the ArcturusXT™ system a true dual-purpose instrument by combining the leading LCM
technology of the ArcturusXTâ„¢ system with the ability to perform high resolution imaging experiments. This is especially important for
researchers who also want to use the ArcturusXTâ„¢ system as an imaging microscope.