How are Tissue Microarray Produced in the First Place

Author: reikopena | Posted: 18.05.2012

The medical fraternity witnesses the advent of newer equipment, devices and technological advancement each passing day. The existence of tissue microarray technique is a step in this direction.

Ordinarily, the tissue microarray is best known for its role in analysis of tissue samples. The laboratories that collect such samples usually feel a need to collect and archive it in a better manner. This is where this technique some to great use. For, once the tissue samples are collected, the need for archiving them properly is achieved by making use of the formalin or paraffin blocks.

It is in the tissue microarrays that the blocks are punched with an intention to subsequently relocating it on new paraffin block. It may be noted, the paraffin blocks are widely used for studying histological samples. This is done from tissues that are infected with tumor, cancer or similar disease.

A lot of pathologists vehemently agree that it is these tissue microarrays that are well known for making the entire process of making histological studies very comfortable and convenient. This is mainly because of the feature of the technique that makes it possible to collect all necessary information on one single slide. To make the process hassle-free and accurate, a paraffin block that has an array in it mostly prepared in advance. Subsequently, a needle is used to transfer sample from histological sample block into it.

These techniques are totally different from the DNA microarrays. In case of the latter, it is oligonucleotide or DNA that is compulsorily cloned. As a result, it helps in binding with the target sequence. This technique is especially beneficial for screening one particular protein or genetic marker where thousands of them exist. Today, it is the availability of this option that has enabled to reap benefits such as experimental uniformity, savings in assay volume, allows amplification, brings a reduction in number of slide that are examined, etc.

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