The new VisDat (Virtual Slide Date Transfer) module of the PALM RoboSoftware makes it possible for the first time to connect molecular and digital pathology. This is particularly beneficial for researchers in molecular biology and medicine as well as for pathologists. VisDat enables users to precisely transfer certain areas marked on digitized tissue sections to the laser microdissection systems from Carl Zeiss. Thanks to its intuitive user interface, the module is very easy to operate.

Microscopic specimens can be scanned with one of the MIRAX systems from Carl Zeiss and uploaded to a server database using the MDSD (MIRAX Digital Slide Desktop) program. The digital tissue sections can then be accessed and regions of interest marked via the Internet. The VisDat module transfers the markings from the MDSD database to a laser microdissection system where the selected areas can be isolated for subsequent molecular analysis. Maximum accuracy in the transfer of the object coordinates is achieved thanks to the precise reference method of the software module.

The new module also enables users to save time. In the past, they first had to use a microscope to check if the specimens were important to the analysis and then needed to examine them again on the laser microdissection system in order to mark regions of interest. This additional step is now no longer required.

A major benefit of the new software is that users are not tied to one location. The connection between MDSD and VisDat makes it possible to access the digital images via the Internet and discuss them online in tele-consultation meetings before the data is sent to the PALM systems via a network connection.

Users that select several areas of the tissue section can differentiate these areas with colored object markers which are recognized by the PALM software after the transfer and can be used for color-coded separation into different vessels during the laser microdissection process.

The VisDat module can be integrated into all PALM systems featuring RoboSoftware 4.3.

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The new VisDat (Virtual Slide Date Transfer) module of the PALM RoboSoftware makes it possible for the first time to connect molecular and digital pathology.