TARGET ACTIVATED MICROTRANSFER

摘要

A method of removing a target from a biological sample which involved placin g a transfer surface in contact with the biological sample, and then focally altering the transfer surface to allow selective separation of the target fr om the biological sample. In disclosed embodiments, the target is a cell or cellular component of a tissue section and the transfer surface is a film th at can be focally altered to adhere the target to the transfer surface. Subsequent separation of the film from the tissue section selectively remove s the adhered target from the tissue section. The transfer surface is activate d from within the target to adhere the target to the transfer surface, for example by heating the target to adhere or to a thermoplastic transfer surface. Such in situ activation can be achieved by exposing the biological sample to an immunoreagent that specifically binds to the target (or a component of the target). The immunoreagent can alter the transfer surface directly ( for example with a heat generating enzyme carried by the immunoreagent), or indirectly ( for example by changing a characteristic of the target). In some embodiments, the immunoreagent deposits a precipitate i n the target that increases its light absorption relative to surrounding tissu e, such that the biological specimencan be exposed to light to selectively heat the target. Alternatively, the immunoreagent is an immunofluorescent agent that carries a fluorosphore that absorbs light and emits heat.