GoingToMeet

Clinically relevant genomic and proteomic test development using human tissue specimens requires specialized collection, handling and cryopreservation methods for generating reliable analyses. Although global gene expression assays of intact cancer biopsies are utilized to distinguish patterns, validation of mRNA expression of specific gene sets by techniques such as quantitative PCR is essential using well characterized samples. Non-distructive procurement of pure cell populations from frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues by Laser Capture Microdissection and optimized methods for RNA and protein analyses enhance identification of candidate molecular targets for development of drugs and diagnostics. These approaches must be complemented by well annotated records of patient characteristics, tissue pathology and clinical outcome