Constructing tissue microarrays for research use.

Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were recently developed to facilitate tissue-based research. TMAs can be used for any type of study where standard tissue slides have previously been used. However, there are numerous advantages in using TMAs. TMAs allow for screening of a large number of tissue samples under similar experimental conditions. They are also useful in that they conserve tissue and resources and can greatly multiply the number of experiments that can be performed with a limited amount of tissue samples. The basic protocol in this unit discusses how to prepare and cut tissue microarray slides. The resulting arrays may then be constructed manually or automatically, as described in the support protocols.