microdissection: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowtechnical/formal
Quick answer
What does “microdissection” mean?
A technique for precisely cutting, isolating, or manipulating extremely small biological structures, such as individual cells or chromosomes, under a microscope.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A technique for precisely cutting, isolating, or manipulating extremely small biological structures, such as individual cells or chromosomes, under a microscope.
The practice of performing extremely fine-scale surgery or sample extraction on tissues, cells, or cellular components, often using specialised instruments like laser beams or fine glass needles, primarily for research in genetics, pathology, and developmental biology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. The process is identical in both scientific communities.
Connotations
None beyond its technical meaning.
Frequency
Equally rare outside of specific scientific literature in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “microdissection” in a Sentence
microdissection of [noun phrase]to perform microdissection on [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “microdissection” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The researcher will microdissect the specific cell cluster for genomic analysis.
- Microdissecting these structures requires a steady hand.
American English
- The team needs to microdissect the tumor sample to isolate the mutant cells.
- Microdissecting with a laser is now the standard method.
adverb
British English
- The tissue was removed microdissectively.
American English
- The sample was prepared microdissectively for optimal results.
adjective
British English
- The microdissected chromosome fragments were then amplified.
- A microdissection needle is a delicate instrument.
American English
- They studied the gene expression in the microdissected tissue samples.
- The microdissection procedure was completed in under an hour.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in research papers and textbooks in biology, genetics, pathology, and medical science.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
The primary context, referring to a laboratory procedure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “microdissection”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “microdissection”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “microdissection”
- Misspelling as 'microdisection' (missing one 's').
- Using it to refer to any small-scale analysis, rather than the specific physical separation technique.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while laser microdissection is common, manual techniques using fine needles or tools under a microscope are also forms of microdissection.
Its main purpose is to obtain a pure sample of a specific cell type or structure from a complex tissue for downstream analysis like DNA sequencing or proteomics.
Typically, it is performed on tissue samples or cells that have been preserved or prepared on a slide, not on a living, intact organism.
A biopsy is the general removal of tissue for examination, often on a larger scale. Microdissection is a subsequent, highly precise technique used on a biopsy sample to isolate specific microscopic components from within it.
A technique for precisely cutting, isolating, or manipulating extremely small biological structures, such as individual cells or chromosomes, under a microscope.
Microdissection is usually technical/formal in register.
Microdissection: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmaɪ.krəʊ.dɪˈsek.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmaɪ.kroʊ.dɪˈsek.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'microscope' plus 'dissection' – it's like doing dissection, but on a microscopically tiny scale.
Conceptual Metaphor
SURGERY IS PRECISE CRAFTSMANSHIP (on a miniature scale).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'microdissection' most commonly used?