MMI CellCut Plus

Easy to use

The third generation of the much acclaimed cutting-edge tool, MMI CellCut Plus combines several proven, leading-edge technologies which makes the microdissection of paraffin samples, cryo samples, smears and cell cultures - fast, precise and, above all, easy to use. This is a well established technology in:

• Molecular Pathology
• Cell Biology
• Cancer Research
• Forensic Medicine
• Genomics/Proteomics
• Immunology
• Food Research
• Neuroscience
• Prenatal Diagnostics
• Microbiology/Virology

A unique patent solution

The MMI CellCut Plus has high-quality components delivering outstanding image quality that enables you to select, cut and collect cells or tissue sections quickly and easily. Drawing freehand or using predefined geometric figures, one can encircle as many single cells or groups of cells as wanted. Cells are then cut out automatically, using a precise, solid-state UV laser.

Specimens are mounted on a special membrane-covered frame, the MMI MembraneSlide, and placed upside down on a glass slide. This set-up enables contamination free isolation, which is crucial for most downstream analysis processes.

Microdissected samples are then cleanly removed using the MMI IsolationCap, which rests on the membrane and has no direct contact with the specimen, thus, effectively avoiding any form of contamination. The MMI CellCut Plus offers a unique, patented solution.

The Complete solution to all your needs

Choose the MMI CellCut Plus to benefit from a range of advantages that will simplify your work . These includes:

• Contamination-free microdissection, attributed to the patented mmi IsolationCap technology
• Easy operation with high level automation
• Outstanding image quality
• High-precision laser cutting < 1µm/40x
• Long laser lifespan
• Safe, reliable operation
• Positive sample inspection; the 100% way of seeing what you have isolated
• Live cell microdissection
• Modular, upgradeable instruments from MMI such as the MMI CellManipulator or the mmi Cellector
• The MMI CellCut Plus is compatible with Olympus IX71 and IX81

Features

The MMI CellCut Plus also comes with the following extra features:

• Single or multi MMI CapLift designed as a plug and play module with adjustable cap contact pressure.
• Digital camera series mmi CellCamera - Ultra high sensitive with progressive scan - high quality imaging and contrast - b/w version for high-end fluorescence.
• The MMI UVCut Plus software - advanced collection method - lens offset.
• Predefined Target Positioning (PTP) - enables individual positioning of the microdissected and isolated targets within the isolation cap, helping in verifying the quality and quantity of the extracted material.

MMI Live CellChamber for Laser Microdissection

The MMI CellCut Plus enables contamination-free isolation of cells in living culture with MMI's cell chamber. The MMI Live CellChamber consists of a membrane ring, a petri dish, and the microdissection chamber.

• Adherent cells are grown in a special metal ring on a membrane inside a petri dish.
• Once a desired cell density is reached, the membrane ring is transferred to the microdissection chamber.
• The cell or cells of interest are selected and cut using laser microdissection.
• Unwanted cells can be destroyed by using a single laser shot.
• The membrane ring is then removed and only the cells of interest remain in the microdissection chamber.
• This process can be repeated using the same metal ring in a new microdissection chamber to select and separate more than one cell type.
• Once isolation is complete, more media is added to the microdissection chamber and the cells can be recultivated.

The isolation of single cells is a unique and highly useful tool in wide range of research and clinical applications, including individual cell analysis, clonal expansion, and stem cell research. Enzyme treatments (i.e. trypsin), other potentially harmful selective reagents, as well as time consuming repetitive enrichments can be avoided. The benefit is an increase in reliability, effectiveness, and accuracy of your research.

Options

Customize MMI CellCut Plus with a choice of value-added optional features for an even easier, more automated operation such as:

• High power solid state laser for special applications on plants and other special tissues.
• The MMI CellExplorer color recognition software will automatically recognizes cells under fluorescence and in bright field.
• The MMI MultiCap uses eight MMI IsolatioCaps which can be attached simultaneously, facilitating automatic switching from one cap onto the other during group cutting.
• MultiSlide functionality allows the simultaneous microdissection.
• MMI MembraneSlides.
• Touch screen pen for more comfort.

UV Cut Software

One of the main advantages of the MMI CellCut is its sophisticated, yet easy to use software. The high precision, motorize xy stage is controlled through computer mouse or keyboard. In addition, an overview allows easy and fast navigation within the slide. Several positions of the stage can be stored to make finding of areas of interest easier to find.

Drawing tools
For marking the cutting path, you can choose between free hand drawing and geometric figures such as circles, squares and ellipses. You can mark as many objects as you wish over the entire slide area; the objects will then be cut automatically. You can then choose the size of the circles, squares and ellipses. Furthermore, they can be copied by a simple mouse click.

• Mark several areas for automatic dissection
• Computer controlled cutting with UV laser
• Isolate dissectates
• An unlimited number of different groups can be defined for cutting. Additionally, specific set-ups (camera settings for specific applications) can be defined and stored.