Tissue and cell microarray compound for freshly frozen samples

Problem or Unmet Need
Tissue microarrays are an emerging technology for the rapid molecular characterization of biopsy and cell culture samples. Arrays are formed by arranging many tissue samples in a block, then slicing them with a microtome; the multi-tissue sheaf may then be immobilized on a glass slide for analysis. Initial arrays could only be used with a limited set of techniques due to the use of fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. In contrast, frozen tissue is amenable many more assays, including immunohistochemical staining, nucleic acid quantification, and receptor-ligand binding studies. Recently developed arraying techniques embed frozen tissues in a block of Optimal Cutting Temperature compound (OCT). The low temperature needed to keep OCT in solid form complicates microarray fabrication; brittle blocks cracking or repeated freeze-thaw cycles can degrade frozen sections. Furthermore, cell samples placed into the holes of pre-frozen OCT blocks freeze rapidly, causing cell damage. A simple, reliable and cost-efficient method for making frozen cell and tissue microarrays is needed to realize the technology’s potential.
Details of the Invention
This invention introduces a new compound of OCT and preserving, non-caustic agents for making housing blocks for frozen tissue and cell microarrays. The resultant compound has the same physical characteristics as OCT at low temperatures (below 0°C), but is able to be flexible and soft in solid phase at temperatures above 0°C. Using the new compound simplifies construction, improves sample preservation and enables novel design of tissue array cryo-blocks for pathology and cell biology research.