FFPE Liver Tissue Blocks: DNA Extraction for Cancer Genomics & Research

FF (Fresh-Frozen) tissue is snap-frozen immediately after collection, preserving high-integrity nucleic acids ideal for RNA sequencing, but requiring specialized cold-chain storage. FFPE tissue is chemically fixed and paraffin-embedded, offering room-temperature archival stability for decades. FFPE samples have fragmented or crosslinked nucleic acids, requiring specialized extraction chemistries — such as those in Cambrian's FFPE kits — to recover usable DNA and RNA.

The Cambrian FFPE gDNA Isolation Kit yields high-molecular-weight genomic DNA compatible with Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), PCR-based mutation analysis, oncology tumor content studies, translational research, reproductive genetics, blood cancer diagnostics, and infectious disease testing. The kit is validated for use with the Manta automated nucleic acid extraction platform.

After the lysis step, both the FFPE gDNA and RNA Isolation Kits complete purification in 28 minutes on the Manta platform. No overnight lysis is required for RNA isolation, enabling same-day processing and significantly boosting laboratory throughput compared to traditional column-based or overnight extraction methods.

The Cambrian FFPE gDNA Isolation Kit supports flexible throughput of 1 to 32 samples per single run on the Manta platform. This adaptability allows labs to process individual urgent samples or batch up to 32 distinct FFPE specimens simultaneously, without needing to wait for a full batch to run.

The Cambrian FFPE RNA Isolation Kit consistently delivers DV200 values above 70% and RNA yields of approximately 5,000 ng (Qubit) from as few as four 10 µm FFPE tissue curls. Purity ratios of A260/280 (1.9–2.1) and A260/230 (1.5–2.0) confirm minimal contaminant carry-over, with integrated DNase treatment ensuring zero DNA contamination in the eluate.

Yes. Both the FFPE gDNA and RNA Isolation Kits are designed for seamless integration with the Manta cartridge-based automated extraction platform by Cambrian Bioworks. The automation-friendly format supports 96-well configurations, enables high-throughput oncology workflows, and eliminates manual pipetting steps, reducing hands-on time and inter-operator variability.