Precision FFPE Transcriptomics
Seamless RNA-Seq Solutions for FFPE SamplesFFPE Transcriptomics
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue preservation is extensively used in clinical research. In the form of FFPE blocks or sections, tissue structure, proteins, DNA, and RNA within the tissue are preserved for years, even decades. FFPE samples are a stable sample type invaluable for experimental research, diagnostics, biomarker identification, and target studies in drug development.
Transcriptome profiling provides valuable information in clinical decision-making and clinical and academic research. FFPE samples are a treasure chest of molecular information, and FFPE Transcriptomics offers critical insights into the molecular basis of diseases.
Why are FFPE samples so valuable for scientific and clinical research?
FFPE samples present a unique window into the past for scientific exploration. These precious samples are widely used, especially in cancer research, immunology, and target studies for drug development. In addition to their traditional use for studies of tissue morphology, and essential role for diagnostic and predictive purposes, FFPE samples are also a source of DNA and RNA for genomic and transcriptomic analysis – even after decades of storage.
Find out more about different aspects of FFPE samples, including their preparation, potential challenges, precautions, and applications for next-generation sequencing studies.
What are the main applications of FFPE samples?
FFPE human tissue biopsy samples provide information for the study of disease development, progression, and treatment efficacy. One of the most significant research applications for FFPE samples is in oncology and cancer research. FFPE samples from patient tissue biopsies are essential for staging and characterizing cancers, establishing a cancer diagnosis, selecting treatment options, and estimating treatment efficacy.
Common applications of FFPE samples
- Cancer / Oncology Research
- Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) testing
- Target Studies in Drug Development
- Tumor Profiling
- Biomarker Identification
- Neurodegenerative Disease Research
Established RNA-Seq technologies for FFPE sample characterization include classical whole transcriptome sequencing and cost-efficient global 3’ mRNA-Seq approaches, such as QuantSeq FFPE, which are ideal for expression profiling in, e.g., cancer studies.
Whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS) supplements gene expression profiling to unravel causative molecular mechanisms underlying expressional changes. In addition, WTS RNA-Seq allows the investigation of long non-coding RNAs, which have been identified as potent biomarkers connected to several diseases.
