Precision tissue arrayer

A series of tissue microarrays (TMAs) was constructed containing the consecutive primary IDCs (Pantomics, Inc., Richmond, CA). The TMAs consisted of 10 × 16 arrays of 1.0-mm tissue cores from well preserved, morphologically representative tumor cells in archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) surgical blocks. A precision tissue arrayer (Beecher Instruments, Silver Spring, MD) with two separate core needles for punching the donor and recipient blocks was used. The device also had a micrometer-precise coordinate system for tissue assembly on a multi-tissue block. Two separate tissue cores of IDC represented each surgical case in the TMA. Each tissue core was assigned a unique TMA location number, which was subsequently linked to an Institutional Review Board-approved database containing demographic and clinical data. Using a microtome, 5-µm sections were cut from the TMA blocks and mounted onto Superfrost Plus microscope slides.

A series of tissue microarrays (TMAs) was constructed containing the consecutive primary IDCs (Pantomics, Inc., Richmond, CA). The TMAs consisted of 10 × 16 arrays of 1.0-mm tissue cores from well preserved, morphologically representative tumor cells in archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) surgical blocks. A precision tissue arrayer (Beecher Instruments, Silver Spring, MD) with two separate core needles for punching the donor and recipient blocks was used. The device also had a micrometer-precise coordinate system for tissue assembly on a multitissue block. Two separate tissue cores of IDC represented each surgical case in the TMA. Each tissue core was assigned a unique TMA location number, which was subsequently linked to an Institutional Review Board-approved database containing demographic and clinical data. Using a microtome, 5-μm sections were cut from the TMA blocks and mounted onto Superfrost Plus microscope slides.