TMA construction

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Tissue microarrays (TMAs) consist of a paraffin block containing up to 250 separate tissue cores.  This allows up to 250 different tissue samples to be tested at the same time.

The tissue microarray involves a hollow needle removing a tissue core (normally 0.6mm diameter) from the area of interest on a paraffin embedded tissue block such as tumour samples. These cores are then inserted into a recipient block, in an array pattern, a specific distance apart.  Sections of the TMA block are cut using a microtome, mounted on a microscope slide and analysed using a histological method (most commonly immunohistochemistry or fluorescent in situ hybridization).

The CRUK Tissue Group can make the TMA and help with the collection of blocks, cutting and staining slides (if required) and we can also help marking the area of interest on the slides if a member of staff is trained in the specific tissue type (this is not always possible).  The length of time involved in making a TMA can vary as it depends on how many cores are required, the level of CRUK Tissue Group involvement (i.e if CRUK Tissue Group collect the blocks), and the number of TMA blocks being made.

Costs