Total Nucleic Acid Isolation for FFPE Samples – Sliced Tissue Sections

UTSW Microarray Core Facility is providing service for the extraction of total nucleic acid from formalin- or paraformalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Recovered nucleic acids are suitable for next generation sequencing, real-time RT-PCR, PCR, mutation screening, and microarray analyses
Sample preparation :
If you are preparing tissue sections, cut 5–20 μm sections from FFPE tissue blocks using a microtome. Place the equivalent of ≤ 80 μm of tissue slices (i.e., a maximum of four 20 μm, eight 10 μm, or sixteen 5 μm slices) in a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube. (Note: For recovery of miRNA, we recommend using ≥10 μm slices).
If you are preparing unsectioned core samples, cut an unsectioned core sample, up to 35 mg, from a paraffin block. Crush or grind the sample in liquid nitrogen or on dry ice, and place in a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube. In addition, RNA can be extracted from unstained, FFPE samples mounted on microscope slides. Each section should be in the range of 3-5 microns.