Abstract: An article comprising: a planar base having a first surface and an opposing second surface and an outer peripheral edge, wherein the second surface includes an area comprising a plurality of protuberances and configured to attach and maintain orientation of a frozen tissue specimen block; and a removable lid having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side defines a continuous planar surface and the second side defines a recessed portion configured to cover a frozen tissue specimen block and an outer rim configured to engage with the outer peripheral edge of the base, wherein the outer rim does not form part of the recessed portion, wherein the area of the base and the recessed portion of the lid are aligned.

Abstract: A container comprising: a first panel; a second panel opposing the first panel; a first side; a second side opposing the first side; a third side; a fourth side opposing the third side; wherein each of the sides joins the first panel and the second panel; a chamber defined by the four sides, the first panel, and the second panel, wherein the chamber is configured to receive a biological specimen; a port defined in the first side; a plug inserted into the port; an opening defined in the second side; and a closure element coupled to the opening, wherein the chamber is leak proof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for fixing tissue for cytologic, histomorphologic, and/or molecular analysis (e.g., DNA, RNA, and/or protein analysis). In some embodiments, the fixatives are aldehyde-free fixatives, for example, formaldehyde- or formalin-free fixatives. Particular disclosed compositions include buffered ethanol. The buffer is a phosphate buffer or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in some examples. In further embodiments, the fixative includes additional components, such as glycerol and/or acetic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for fixing tissue for cytologic, histomorphologic, and/or molecular analysis (e.g., DNA, RNA, and/or protein analysis). In some embodiments, the fixatives are aldehyde-free fixatives, for example, formaldehyde- or formalin-free fixatives. Particular disclosed compositions include buffered ethanol. The buffer is a phosphate buffer or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in some examples. In further embodiments, the fixative includes additional components, such as glycerol and/or acetic acid.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are described for identifying biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) expressed in a biological sample that are associated with the presence, development, or progression of a disease (such as cancer), or more generally determination of the etiology or risk factors associated with a disease. Sample types analyzed by the disclosed methods include but are not limited to archival tissue blocks that have been preserved in a fixative, tissue biopsy samples, tissue microarrays, and so forth. The methods disclosed herein correlate expression profiles of biomolecules with various disease types, and allow for the determination of relative survival rates; in some embodiments, the methods permit determination of survival rates for a subject with cancer. In other embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods for evaluating therapeutic regimes for the treatment, such as treatment of cancer.

Abstract: An article comprising: a planar base having a first surface and an opposing second surface and an outer peripheral edge, wherein the second surface includes an area comprising a plurality of protuberances and configured to attach and maintain orientation of a frozen tissue specimen block; and a removable lid having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side defines a continuous planar surface and the second side defines a recessed portion configured to cover a frozen tissue specimen block and an outer rim configured to engage with the outer peripheral edge of the base, wherein the outer rim does not form part of the recessed portion, wherein the area of the base and the recessed portion of the lid are aligned.

Abstract: A container comprising: a first panel; a second panel opposing the first panel; a first side; a second side opposing the first side; a third side; a fourth side opposing the third side; wherein each of the sides joins the first panel and the second panel; a chamber defined by the four sides, the first panel, and the second panel, wherein the chamber is configured to receive a biological specimen; a port defined in the first side; a plug inserted into the port; an opening defined in the second side; and a closure element coupled to the opening, wherein the chamber is leak proof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for fixing tissue for cytologic, histomorphologic, and/or molecular analysis (e.g., DNA, RNA, and/or protein analysis). In some embodiments, the fixatives are aldehyde-free fixatives, for example, formaldehyde- or formalin-free fixatives. Particular disclosed compositions include buffered ethanol. The buffer is a phosphate buffer or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in some examples. In further embodiments, the fixative includes additional components, such as glycerol and/or acetic acid.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are described for identifying biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) expressed in a biological sample that are associated with the presence, development, or progression of a disease (such as cancer), or more generally determination of the etiology or risk factors associated with a disease. Sample types analyzed by the disclosed methods include but are not limited to archival tissue blocks that have been preserved in a fixative, tissue biopsy samples, tissue microarrays, and so forth. The methods disclosed herein correlate expression profiles of biomolecules with various disease types, and allow for the determination of relative survival rates; in some embodiments, the methods permit determination of survival rates for a subject with cancer. In other embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods for evaluating therapeutic regimes for the treatment, such as treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are described for identifying biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) expressed in a biological sample that are associated with the presence, development, or progression of a disease (such as cancer), or more generally determination of the etiology or risk factors associated with a disease. Sample types analyzed by the disclosed methods include but are not limited to archival tissue blocks that have been preserved in a fixative, tissue biopsy samples, tissue microarrays, and so forth. The methods disclosed herein correlate expression profiles of biomolecules with various disease types, and allow for the determination of relative survival rates; in some embodiments, the methods permit determination of survival rates for a subject with cancer. In other embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods for evaluating therapeutic regimes for the treatment, such as treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly defined as the addition of Argon to FFPE procedures as an RNA stabilizing agent. Argon is an inert gas from the Noble gas group with low saturation concentrations in water. It is therefore highly surprising that Argon would have any effect on RNA stability in the presence of Formalin, or any other chemical. This property of Argon appears to be specific in that other inert gases fail to show any RNA stabilizing effect.

Abstract: A method for selecting treatment options for patients is provided. The method comprises a procedure for selecting patients that should not be placed on Active Surveillance (AS) but receive active treatment even though the morphologic analysis of the patient's biopsy may show a Gleason score that would traditionally have placed the patient in AS without any further treatment. In accordance with one embodiment, the patient is selected for active treatment if a biomarker associated with prostate cancer is detected. In yet a further embodiment, the patient is selected for additional treatment if the biomarker's concentration is determined to be higher in the benign section of the tissue sample than in the cancerous section. In another embodiment, biochemical recurrence is predicted identifying patients for treatment.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are described for identifying biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) expressed in a biological sample that are associated with the presence, development, or progression of a disease (such as cancer), or more generally determination of the etiology or risk factors associated with a disease. Sample types analyzed by the disclosed methods include but are not limited to archival tissue blocks that have been preserved in a fixative, tissue biopsy samples, tissue microarrays, and so forth. The methods disclosed herein correlate expression profiles of biomolecules with various disease types, and allow for the determination of relative survival rates; in some embodiments, the methods permit determination of survival rates for a subject with cancer. In other embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods for evaluating therapeutic regimes for the treatment, such as treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly defined as the addition of Argon to FFPE procedures as an RNA stabilizing agent. Argon is an inert gas from the Noble gas group with low saturation concentrations in water. It is therefore highly surprising that Argon would have any effect on RNA stability in the presence of Formalin, or any other chemical. This property of Argon appears to be specific in that other inert gases fail to show any RNA stabilizing effect.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are described for identifying biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) expressed in a biological sample that are associated with the presence, development, or progression of a disease (such as cancer), or more generally determination of the etiology or risk factors associated with a disease. Sample types analyzed by the disclosed methods include but are not limited to archival tissue blocks that have been preserved in a fixative, tissue biopsy samples, tissue microarrays, and so forth. The methods disclosed herein correlate expression profiles of biomolecules with various disease types, and allow for the determination of relative survival rates; in some embodiments, the methods permit determination of survival rates for a subject with cancer. In other embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods for evaluating therapeutic regimes for the treatment, such as treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A method for preparing a microarray that includes placing at least one template over a first surface of the recipient block, wherein the template defines an array of openings and the recipient block has a plurality of receptacle holes, such that the array of openings are aligned with the plurality of receptacle holes. A needle or punch that contains a sample is inserted through the openings of the template. The sample then is inserted into the receptacle hole in the recipient block. A device is also disclosed that includes a platform defining (i) a first surface, and (ii) a first region configured to retain at least one recipient block; and a raised template defining an array of openings, secured to the first surface of the platform and positioned above the first region configured to retain the recipient block.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices, arrays, kits and methods for detecting biomolecules in a tissue section (such as a fresh or archival sample, tissue microarray, or cells harvested by an LCM procedure) or other substantially two-dimensional sample (such as an electrophoretic gel or cDNA microarray) by creating “carbon copies” of the biomolecules eluted from the sample and visualizing the biomolecules on the copies using one or more detector molecules (e.g., antibodies or DNA probes) having specific affinity for the biomolecules of interest. Specific methods are provided for identifying the pattern of biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) in the samples. Other specific methods are provided for the identification and analysis of proteins and other biological molecules produced by cells and/or tissue, especially human cells and/or tissue.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to CryoArrays, which permit the analysis of samples (such as protein, nucleic acid, virus, or cell samples) in arrays that are prepared at low temperatures. Because CryoArrays are constructed as a block of substantially columnar samples, the block can be sliced to provide a plurality of identical or substantially identical individual arrays. The individual arrays can be used for parallel analysis of the same array feature set, for instance with different probes or under different conditions. Also provided are methods of making CryoArrays, devices for making CryoArrays, and kits.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices, arrays, kits and methods for detecting biomolecules in a tissue section (such as a fresh or archival sample, tissue microarray, or cells harvested by an LCM procedure) or other substantially two-dimensional sample (such as an electrophoretic gel or cDNA microarray) by creating “carbon copies” of the biomolecules eluted from the sample and visualizing the biomolecules on the copies using one or more detector molecules (e.g., antibodies or DNA probes) having specific affinity for the biomolecules of interest. Specific methods are provided for identifying the pattern of biomolecules (e.g., proteins and nucleic acids) in the samples. Other specific methods are provided for the identification and analysis of proteins and other biological molecules produced by cells and/or tissue, especially human cells and/or tissue.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to CryoArrays, which permit the analysis of samples (such as protein, nucleic acid, virus, or cell samples) in arrays that are prepared at low temperatures. Because CryoArrays are constructed as a block of substantially columnar samples, the block can be sliced to provide a plurality of identical or substantially identical individual arrays. The individual arrays can be used for parallel analysis of the same array feature set, for instance with different probes or under different conditions. Also provided are methods of making CryoArrays, devices for making CryoArrays, and kits.