Overview of Laser Microbeam Applications as Related to Antibody Targeting

Laser-based microscopic systems (laser microbeams) are becoming popular tools for investigating various aspects of molecular and cellular biology (1). Depending on the wavelength, energy, and beam geometry employed, laser microbeams can be used for fluorescence excitation, microsurgery, cellular ablation, or micromanipulation of cells and organelles. The use of antibodies permits the targeting of specific antigens or cell types for analysis or treatment. Integrating a laser, microscope, and detection system (camera or photomultiplier tube) with a personal computer creates a workstation capable of controlling data acquisition parameters and performing subsequent data analysis. An example of one such workstation is shown in Fig. 1.