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RNA expression analysis from formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues

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Abstract

Formalin fixation and paraffin embedding (FFPE) is the most commonly used method worldwide for tissue storage. This method preserves the tissue integrity but causes extensive damage to nucleic acids stored within the tissue. As methods for measuring gene expression such as RT-PCR and microarray are adopted into clinical practice there is an increasing necessity to access the wealth of information locked in the Formalin fixation and paraffin embedding archives. This paper reviews the progress in this field and discusses the unique opportunities that exist for the application of these techniques in the development of personalized medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Almac Diagnostics, Craigavon, 19 Seagoe Industrial Estate, Armagh, BT635QD, UK

    Susan M. Farragher, Austin Tanney, Richard D. Kennedy & D. Paul Harkin

  2. Belfast City Hospital Trust, Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT97AB, UK

    Richard D. Kennedy

  3. Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen’s University Belfast, Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT97BL, UK

    D. Paul Harkin

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  1. Susan M. Farragher
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  2. Austin Tanney
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  3. Richard D. Kennedy
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  4. D. Paul Harkin
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Correspondence to D. Paul Harkin.

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S.M. Farragher and A. Tanney equally contributed to this work.

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Farragher, S.M., Tanney, A., Kennedy, R.D. et al. RNA expression analysis from formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues. Histochem Cell Biol 130, 435–445 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-008-0479-7

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