An integrated laboratory system for sample fixation, stabilisation and purification is now available from Preanalytix through Qiagen.
With the Paxgene tissue system, researchers can perform histology, immunohistochemistry and stabilised RNA, MiRNA, and DNA extractions from one sample.
Research laboratories working with human and animal tissue are faced with the challenge of conducting a variety of analyses on limited sample materials.
The recognised standard for preserving tissue morphology is FFPE (formalin fixation/paraffin embedding).
However, while this method provides excellent results for morphological studies, it does not preserve biomolecules.
As a result, the DNA, RNA and MiRNA molecules degrade, preventing the complete analysis required.
This is a necessity for applications such as case-controlled and population-based clinical studies, facilitating biomarker discovery and, ultimately, the development of diagnostics and therapeutics.
'Researchers say they need a system that not only fixes the tissue but prevents degradation of the biomolecules needed for molecular analysis,' said Marie McCluskey, global product manager for pre-analytical systems at Qiagen.
'The Paxgene tissue system combines tissue fixation with nucleic acid stabilisation, enabling researchers to get the most information from samples.
'For example, a biopsy sample can be assessed by a pathologist for morphology, then the same sample can be used for molecular analysis.
'The stabilised nucleic acids make it possible for researchers to get optimal morphology and molecular results from one sample.' The Paxgene tissue system has two components: a tissue container and tissue kits.
The dual-chambered container is pre-filled with two reagents: Paxgene tissue fix for fast penetration and fixation; and Paxgene tissue stabiliser for storage and transport.
The fixation process uses a standard histocasette with a fixative that is an alternative to formalin and is stopped by transferring the sample into the stabiliser.
Fixation time is standardised at 2-4hrs.
The sample is stable in the Paxgene tissue stabiliser for transport and storage prior to processing.
Tissue can then be paraffin embedded and processed in pathology workflows.
After tissue has been stabilised in Paxgene tissue containers (and optionally paraffin embedded), RNA, MiRNA and DNA can be purified using the Paxgene tissue kits.
The Paxgene tissue system from Preanalytix is the latest addition sold in Qiagen's suite of tissue management technologies.