Abstract: An assembly including a cassette having a support layer. At least a portion of the support layer is embedded in a recipient block formed from an agarose gel for securing the recipient block to the cassette. The recipient block has a surface spaced from the support layer and is provided with at least one bore extending from the surface into the recipient block that is adapted to receive a biological sample material. A method for forming an assembly is provided.

Abstract: An assembly including a cassette having a support layer. At least a portion of the support layer is embedded in a recipient block formed from an agarose gel for securing the recipient block to the cassette. The recipient block has a surface spaced from the support layer and is provided with at least one bore extending from the surface into the recipient block that is adapted to receive a biological sample material. A method for forming an assembly is provided.

Abstract: A method for making a microarray block with a recipient block having at least one bore therein. A mold having a cylindrical bore with a cross-sectional shape approximating the cross-sectional shape of the at least one bore of the recipient block can be provided. The first end of the mold can have an opening that communicates with a cylindrical bore of the mold. A biological sample and a liquid carrier medium can be introduced through the opening and solidified in the mold to form a core. The core can be removed from the mold and at least a portion of the core can be inserted into the at least one bore of the recipient block. Related methods and assemblies are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming high-yield tissue microarray blocks capable of producing 1,000 or more replicate slides. In one embodiment, a plurality of donor tissue samples are minced and suspended in separate molten liquid carriers to form a plurality of separate two-phase mixtures of solid minced tissue and molten wax. Each of the two-phase mixtures is preferably formed into elongated columns and transferred into a separate well of a microarray block. A method and apparatus are provided for forming the elongated molten wax columns with minced tissue evenly distributed along the length of each column. The apparatus for forming the array includes an extrusion mechanism for transferring the columns of two-phase mixtures into the deep wells of the microarray block. The two-phase mixture may alternately be cooled and allowed to solidify before being transferred into the microarray block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming high-yield tissue microarray blocks capable of producing 1,000 or more replicate slides. In one embodiment, a plurality of donor tissue samples are minced and suspended in separate molten liquid carriers to form a plurality of separate two-phase mixtures of solid minced tissue and molten wax. Each of the two-phase mixtures is preferably formed into elongated columns and transferred into a separate well of a microarray block. A method and apparatus are provided for forming the elongated molten wax columns with minced tissue evenly distributed along the length of each column. The apparatus for forming the array includes an extrusion mechanism for transferring the columns of two-phase mixtures into the deep wells of the microarray block. The two-phase mixture may alternately be cooled and allowed to solidify before being transferred into the microarray block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming high-yield tissue microarray blocks capable of producing 1,000 or more replicate slides. In one embodiment, a plurality of donor tissue samples are minced and suspended in separate molten liquid carriers to form a plurality of separate two-phase mixtures of solid minced tissue and molten wax. Each of the two-phase mixtures is preferably formed into elongated columns and transferred into a separate well of a microarray block. A method and apparatus are provided for forming the elongated molten wax columns with minced tissue evenly distributed along the length of each column. The apparatus for forming the array includes an extrusion mechanism for transferring the columns of two-phase mixtures into the deep wells of the microarray block. The two-phase mixture may alternately be cooled and allowed to solidify before being transferred into the microarray block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming high-yield tissue microarray blocks capable of producing 1,000 or more replicate slides. In one embodiment, a plurality of donor tissue samples are minced and suspended in separate molten liquid carriers to form a plurality of separate two-phase mixtures of solid minced tissue and molten wax. Each of the two-phase mixtures is preferably formed into elongated columns and transferred into a separate well of a microarray block. A method and apparatus are provided for forming the elongated molten wax columns with minced tissue evenly distributed along the length of each column. The apparatus for forming the array includes an extrusion mechanism for transferring the columns of two-phase mixtures into the deep wells of the microarray block. The two-phase mixture may alternately be cooled and allowed to solidify before being transferred into the microarray block.