Spatial Transcriptomics & Single-Cell Analysis Services

Single-cell spatial transcriptomics examines gene expression at highly resolved cellular or near-cellular levels while retaining information about where cells are located within tissue. It helps researchers relate molecular signatures to morphology, neighboring cells, and anatomical structures. The Accuva Cellect laser capture microdissection system, using its gentle IR laser for single cells and UV laser for precise cutting, can isolate visually defined individual cells or targeted regions before RNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing, preserving the spatial question that bulk tissue analysis loses.

Single-cell sequencing profiles gene expression from individual dissociated cells, providing detailed cell-type information but generally removing original tissue location. Spatial transcriptomics retains positional information so molecular results can be interpreted within tissue architecture. The approaches can be complementary: the Accuva Cellect laser capture microdissection system enables researchers to select cells or regions directly from FFPE or fresh-frozen tissue sections, then perform downstream sequencing on precisely defined material.

The Accuva Cellect laser capture microdissection system supports spatial transcriptomics by allowing researchers to view a stained tissue section, select a region or cell population of interest, and capture only that material for molecular analysis. Because the selection originates from a known anatomical location, resulting expression data can be linked back to tissue architecture. This targeted approach avoids averaging signals from unrelated surrounding cells in a whole-tissue homogenate.

Yes. Accuva Cellect uses a gentle, contact-free IR laser designed to capture single cells and very small cell numbers. This approach is intended to preserve cellular morphology and nucleic acid integrity while reducing disturbance to adjacent tissue. Researchers can use targeted capture to enrich the cells relevant to their experiment before preparing material for genomic, transcriptomic, or other downstream molecular workflows.

Targeted cell capture can support a range of tissue and research samples, including fixed tissue sections and in vitro cell models. Laxco describes workflows for FFPE tissue analysis, tumor samples, postmortem tissue, organoids, and living in vitro cells. Appropriate staining, section preparation, extraction methods, and downstream assay compatibility should be planned around the specific sample type and research objective.

Yes. Precisely captured cells can be processed using LCM-optimized RNA extraction and linear amplification workflows to generate material for RNA sequencing. These steps are especially important when working with very small inputs and fragile transcripts. By enriching a defined cell population or tissue region before extraction, researchers can reduce mixed-tissue background and obtain expression data more representative of the targeted material.

Laser capture microdissection can separate malignant cells, stromal cells, and infiltrating immune populations from the same tissue section for independent profiling. This allows researchers to examine compartment-specific expression, biomarkers, genomic changes, or protein signatures rather than relying on an averaged whole-tumor sample. Such targeted analysis can support studies of progression, immune evasion, treatment response, resistance mechanisms, and precision oncology research.

Laxco provides on-site applications training, virtual applications training, live technical support, and 48-hour response times, along with resources such as brochures, manuals, application notes, and video tutorials. The company also offers Grant Language Kits to help researchers describe precision laser capture microdissection in proposals for NIH, NSF, HHMI, and DOD funding. Workflow planning should align capture targets, molecular extraction, amplification, and downstream analytical requirements.