Novel Fixative for Improved Biomolecule Quality from Paraffin-Embedded Tissue (U.S. Patent Number 15/774,480)

Tissues samples collected during medical procedures, such as biopsies, are used to diagnose a wide variety of diseases. Before diagnosis, patient samples are typically processed by fixation and paraffin embedding. This fixation/embedding process is used to preserve tissue morphology and histology for subsequent evaluation. Unfortunately, most fixative agents can damage or destroy nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) and damage proteins during the fixation process, thereby potentially impairing diagnostic assessment of tissue.

Researchers in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have developed an improved tissue fixative solution that is formaldehyde-free. This novel fixative, BE70, significantly improves DNA, RNA, and protein biomolecule integrity in histological samples compared to traditional fixatives. Additionally, BE70 is compatible with current protocols and does not alter tissue processing.

Publication

A Buffered Alcohol-Based Fixative for Histomorphologic and Molecular Applications.

Perry C, Chung JY, Ylaya K, Choi CH, Simpson A, Matsumoto KT, Smith WA, Hewitt SM.

J Histochem Cytochem (2016 Jul) 64(7):425-40. Abstract/Full Text