Tissue Processing.
Specimens are obtained immediately upon removal, and processed in the operating room for optimal molecular, biochemical, and histological preservation.
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1 | OPERATING ROOM
The Brain Tumour Tissue Bank ensures that tissues from one patient are used for multiple research projects.
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2 | PROCESSING
Depending on the size of the removed tissue, multiple samples may be prepared from each case. Depending on the size of the sample, it is then divided into 2 or 3 sections.
A CLOSER LOOK: FRAGMENTATION
1 |
IDEAL FOR MOLECULAR AND PROTEIN STUDIES.
The first piece is cut into smaller fragments, laid along the inside of a cryogenic tube and “snap frozen” in liquid nitrogen.
2 |
PARAFFIN-EMBEDDED TISSUES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR RESEARCH.
The second piece is placed in formalin for preparation of an H&E stained control slide, which is then examined by a neuropathologist. This process is important as it enables us to classify what is actually banked and to identify the tumour gradient for infiltrative tumour types.
3 |
IDEAL FOR IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL STUDIES.
The third piece is cryoprotected by being embedded in OCT* freezing medium and frozen in liquid nitrogen.
*OCT samples are only prepared on cases where extra tissue is available.
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3 | STORAGE
Since the Brain Tumour Tissue Bank’s inception, it banks an average of 67 cases per year.
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4 | DISTRIBUTION
There have been 390 shipments to 94 different institutions across Canada and around the world.