Overview
Human research biobanks are explicitly designed to act as a resource for high-quality biological materials, including Tissue Microarrays (TMAs). Tissue Microarrays, FFPE, and other related tissue samples are associated with the collection of clinical/biological data and organized for sharing among research scientists. In the recent decade, research biobanking structures are increasing in demand due to the innovation in technology and the vital role they are making in clinical research.
Quality biobanks are of tremendous value to the research community as they can offer specialized storage and transport conditions for a significant number of archived tissues in addition to having extensive tissue procurement and preservation services. Molecular tools for tissue profiling, such as expression microarrays, generally require the collection of fresh frozen tissues as sources of high-quality RNA. The fragile nature of RNA holds many concerns for scientists. Partnering with a reputable biorepository is essential to managing logistics and GMP protocols.
Tissue Microarrays TMAs as a Research Tool
Clinical Tissue Microarray is a standard research tool used primarily for high-throughput molecular analysis of a variety of tissue types, including multi tumor microarray samples. This analytical process is helping identify new diagnostic and prognostic markers and targets in many important health conditions such as tumor progression. TMA applications include use as a prognostic and research tool that assists in the investigation of morphology, protein and gene expression and/or chromosomal anomalies. Tissue microarrays for discovery and nonclinical work are usually either formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded or frozen TMAs.
Tissue microarrays are composed of small-tissue cores as small as 0.6 mm in diameter, from regions of interest in paraffin-embedded tissues. These tissue cores are obtained using hollow needles of set diameters inserted into paraffin blocks. These cores are then transferred into slots in a recipient paraffin block in a precisely spaced array pattern.
Sections from the array block are cut using a microtome, mounted on a microscope slide, and analyzed by a variety of assay and staining techniques including IHC, ISH, FISH, TUNEL analysis, in situ PCR, and cDNA hybridization aided by laser-capture microdissection (LCM). Each microarray block can be cut into 50–1000 sections able to be used in various analytical processes, making it a cost-effective research vehicle.
Biobanks Customize and Construct Tissue Microarrays (TMAs) for Use in Various Applications
Tissue Microarray technology is based on nucleic acid hybridization between target miRNA molecules and their corresponding complementary components. TMAs are generally used to conduct a genome-wide analysis of miRNA expression of regular and/or disease samples, including cancer, and to distinguish expression signatures used in the scope of determining a diagnosis or designing a therapeutic intervention.
Tissue Microarrays (TMAs) in Translational Biomarker Research
Translational medicine (TM) is the emerging discipline involving the translation of laboratory findings into the design and implementation of early-stage clinical trials. The findings also help contribute to the drug discovery process. Translational medicine focuses on translating preclinical data from in vivo, in vitro, and in silico research into the clinic to help design trials, determine methods, and choose the biomarkers. With innovative analytical processes emerging at a lightning-fast rate, the use of TMA’s to help visualize biomarkers in neuroscience and immunological, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases are changing the way we explore treatment efforts as it relates to personalized medicine. Once the data is obtained, the pharmacodynamic biomarkers can then be applied to specific patient therapies and personalized medicine applications.
Tissue Microarrays as a Diagnostic Tool in Personalized Medicine
TMA analytics assists in clinical-follow up and is used for providing personalized medicine, especially in cases of identifying histological changes. Personalized medicine seeks to identify individuals who will receive the most clinical benefit and least harm from a specific treatment. This is achieved by targeting genetic or other targets associated with their disease made possible by TMA, which rapidly analyzes and helps to identify with the biomarkers. Researchers can then organize and apply treatment guidelines based upon documented archival tissues and the corresponding study data.
Tissue Microarrays for Cancer Research
TMA technology is one of the hallmark methodologies used in the scope of oncological research. The medical community recognizes the value in quickly identifying changes in tumor activity and also the ability to store histological tissue safely for future use. TMA advanced staining techniques allow for advanced study of molecular behavior, which helps oncologists gain more insight on how to develop drugs that are more adept at treating cancer at various stages. v
Conclusion
The various uses of TMA technology are exponential. Paired with quality biobanking services, tissue microarray as an analytical tool is paving a new direction for industries such as genomics, chemical engineering, and regenerative medicine. For details on customized biospecimen and tissue products such as FFPE, frozen tissue, and customized TMA’s, please contact us for more information.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5963141/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780443069017500158
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2307502314000320
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14737159.2018.1522252
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15094604-small-but-high-throughput-how-tissue-microarrays-became-a-favorite-tool-for-pathologists-and-scientists/
https://www.nature.com/articles/3780204
https://www.nature.com/articles/3700372
http://www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com/translational-medicine-and-biomarkers?pageID=2
