Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples are a potentially valuable resource of expression information for medical research, but are under-utilized due to degradation and modification of the RNA. Using a random primer-based RNA amplification strategy, we have evaluated multiple protocols for the extraction and isolation of RNA from FFPE samples. We found that the RecoverAll RNA isolation procedure with three or four slices (ten-microns in thickness), supplemented with additional DNAse, gave optimal results. RNA integrity as assessed by Agilent Bioanalyzer, and amplification of the 28S ribosomal RNA, were predictive for the number of genes detected on Affymetrix arrays. We obtained expression data for colon and lung tumor and normal FFPE samples and matched frozen samples and found a high correlation between frozen and matched FFPE samples (R(2) between 0.82 and 0.89), while the signature sets in tumor versus normal comparisons were also quite similar. QPCR confirmed all 16 of the differential expression results from the microarrays that we tested. Differentially expressed signature genes from tumor versus matched normal FFPE tissue from colon and lung were identified as cancer-related, with 95 colon tumor and 67 lung tumor genes identified, respectively.
In May 1982, the Gelman Library of George Washington University initiated circulation services on a DataPhase A LIS‐II automated library system. This article discusses the conversion of records to machine‐readable format and the linking of physical items requisite to installing the system. Two vendors were selected to support two components of the conversion project, which are described.
Contracting with a vendor to provide retrospective conversion services is an often considered alternative to an inhouse project. George Washington University's Gelman Library has used several vendors to augment its retrospective conversion project, depending upon the requirements of the project at a particular time. It is from this experience that this paper will seek to answer such questions as: when should a library consider using a conversion vendor; what methodologies are available from them; and what factors should be considered before selecting the vendor?
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