Web-Based Cell Type Enrichment Analysis

Enrichment analysis refers to isolating and concentrating a specific cell population or biological signal from a heterogeneous sample so downstream measurements reflect that target rather than being diluted by surrounding material. In cell type enrichment, laser capture microdissection selectively removes target cells from tissue using instruments like the Accuva Cellect, which pairs a gentle IR laser for single cells with a UV laser for dense structures, producing purer input for genomic, transcriptomic, or proteomic analysis than whole-tissue homogenization.

Public single-cell RNA-seq datasets are available through repositories such as the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the Human Cell Atlas, and the Single Cell Portal. For your own research, LCM-enriched cell populations captured on systems like the Accuva Cellect can be processed through standard scRNA-seq library prep kits to generate your own high-purity dataset.

Web-based enrichment analysis pairs AI-assisted image segmentation with laser capture hardware, letting researchers select cell types digitally and capture them with the Accuva Cellect's gentle IR laser or UV laser rather than physical dissection. This reduces contamination, preserves nucleic acid integrity, and cuts user-to-user variability compared to manual scalpel or needle-based methods.

The workflow supports FFPE and fresh-frozen tissue first, along with H&E stained, LCM-optimized stain, immunofluorescence, unstained, and cell culture samples. Whether isolating single cells or larger biopsy regions, the dual-laser system adapts to sample format, making it suitable for cancer research, neuroscience, developmental biology, and drug discovery applications.

LEAP AI uses pre-trained deep learning models developed to reduce user-introduced variability in image segmentation, and the platform integrates with Image-Pro's established analysis tools used across life sciences and diagnostics. Researchers can review and adjust AI-selected regions before capture, maintaining full control and traceability over enriched samples.

Enriched cell populations feed directly into RNA-seq, DNA sequencing (NGS), qPCR, microarray analysis, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Because the captured material is purer than bulk tissue extracts, downstream assays show clearer variant calls, sharper differential expression signals, and improved biomarker detection.

Yes. Laxco offers the Cellect Grant Assistance Program along with on-site and virtual applications training and live technical support to help U.S. researchers integrate laser capture microdissection-based enrichment analysis into competitive funding proposals for NIH, NSF, HHMI, and DOD, articulating the technical justification and expected outcomes clearly for reviewers.

Session length varies by sample complexity, but Accuva Cellect's five-step isolation workflow with visual inspection for QC is designed to minimize time between imaging and capture, letting researchers move from slide to enriched sample within a single lab session in most cases.