Fig 1.

Workflow of the procedure. Briefly, cytospin preparations on membrane-coated slides are fixed and stained using immunocytochemistry and DNA counterstaining. Automated scanning and eventual relocation of positive candidate cells facilitate their microdissection and laser catapulting onto water droplets on anchors of AmpliGrid slides. After evaporation of the water, the cells are lysed and multiplex PCR is performed in droplets on the slide anchors. Finally, the amplification products are forwarded to analysis by capillary electrophoresis.