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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
A Next-generation Tissue Microarray (ngTMA) Protocol for Biomarker Studies
Published on: September 23, 2014
Recipient block TMA technique
Martina Mirlacher1, Ronald Simon
1Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract:
New high-throughput screening technologies have led to the identification of hundreds of genes with a potential role in cancer or other diseases. One way to prioritize the leads obtained in such studies is to analyze a large number of tissues for candidate gene expression. The TMA methodology is now an established and frequently used tool for high-throughput tissue analysis. The recipient block technology is the "classical" method of TMA making. In this method, minute cylindrical tissue punches typically measuring 0.6 mm in diameter are removed from donor tissue blocks and are transferred into empty "recipient" paraffin blocks. Up to 1,000 different tissues can be analyzed in one TMA block. The equipment is affordable and easy to use in places where basic skills in histology are available.
Insights
High-throughput screening identifies potential disease genes. Tissue Microarray (TMA) analysis of multiple tissues prioritizes these candidates, offering an affordable and accessible method for gene expression studies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- High-throughput screening identifies numerous genes implicated in cancer and other diseases.
- Prioritizing candidate genes requires analyzing their expression across diverse tissue types.
- Tissue Microarray (TMA) is a valuable tool for high-throughput tissue analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the classical recipient block technology for Tissue Microarray (TMA) construction.
- To highlight TMA as a method for prioritizing candidate genes identified through screening.
- To emphasize the accessibility and affordability of TMA for gene expression studies.
Main Methods:
- Utilizes recipient block technology for TMA construction.
- Involves punching minute cylindrical tissue samples (0.6 mm diameter) from donor blocks.
- Transfers tissue cores into recipient paraffin blocks for analysis.
Main Results:
- Enables analysis of up to 1,000 different tissues within a single TMA block.
- TMA equipment is affordable and user-friendly.
- Requires basic histology skills for implementation.
Conclusions:
- TMA is an established method for high-throughput tissue analysis.
- Recipient block technology provides a practical approach to TMA construction.
- TMA facilitates efficient prioritization of candidate genes for disease research.
