The PALM MicroBeam IV cleanly extracts the smallest biomaterials from heterogeneous tissue and cell colonies. The Laser Microdissection and Pressure Catapulting (LMPC) process at the core of the system provides a pure and contact-free optical technique that is gentle enough to facilitate microdissection and manipulation of living cells in culture. Researchers can refine raw materials right on the microscope slide or inside the culture dish by visual and automatic identification, outlining the relevant area for non-contact extraction via fully-automated laser ablation. After a clear separation between the wanted and unwanted material is established, a laser pulse delivers mechanical force to the sample, catapulting the specimen toward the receptacle for further viewing.