HISTOGENEX NV
DRIE EIKENSTRAAT 661
B-2650 EDEGEM
BELGIUM
TEL: +32-(0)3-2804815
FAX: +32-(0)3-2804861
Many researchers have experienced that there is a trade-off between maintaining cell morphology and preserving gene expression information in the same tissue sample. Paraffin embedded tissue samples generally show good morphology but gene expression data are severely compromized. Conversely, frozen tissue samples are still the golden standard to obtain high quality gene expression information but tissue morphology is poorly preserved

The research program of HistoGeneX is focused on understanding the physical and chemical basis of tissue fixation

Knowledge of the mechanism of action of existing fixatives has given us clues to adapt current techniques and has allowed us to develop new methods of tissue processing

HistoGeneX has already developed a method of optimal fixation and tissue processing to obtain high molecular weight RNA and DNA from paraffin embedded tissue samples and cells

In addition, it allows the conduct of certain assays on protein extracts from these samples

This method is essential when molecular profiling is needed on small valuable biopsies taken from patients