Characterization of Archived Formalin-Fixed/Paraffin-Embedded or Cryofixed Tissue, Including Nucleus Extraction

Interphase cytogenetics using archival tissue samples is a straightforward approach that can be used to obtain cytogenetic information from nuclei of solid tissue samples. It is the only tool available for investigating specific numerical chromosomal aberrations, chromosomal translocations, amplification of oncogenes, or the deletion of tumor suppressor genes in archival tissue samples at the single-cell level, as metaphase spreads obviously cannot be obtained. Here a collection of protocols for archival sectioned and mounted materials as well as extracted nuclei (from formalin-fixed/paraffin-embedded or cryofixed tissues) are presented.