Recovering DNA and optimizing PCR conditions from microdissected formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded materials

Microdissection is a powerful technique in molecular pathology and genetic investigations, To detect genetic alterations such as gene mutation or dele tion from tumor specimen, the purity of target cells is extremely critical. Unwanted cell contamination will dramatically dilute the detectable level of the abnormality. The major obstacle in clinical research is to obtain su fficient and qualified DNA from a small amount of formalin-fixed and paraff in-embedded materials. We have successfully modified our previous protocols and overcome the difficulties of recovery of DNA, After these modification s, almost every single formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimen has be en successfully amplified in the required DNA region. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.