Tissue Micro Array

Tissue Micro Array (TMA) is an application that digitalizes and interprets/scores TMA specimens.

Overview

The applications were completed in 2007 for PC and made available for our own projects and collaborators. Phase 2 of the project is underway and will result in a web-based version where the users can impart and analyse TMA specimens over the Internet. In phase 3, the solution will be integrated in the project Nucleotyping.

TMA tools

Collection is done from morphologically representative areas in regular formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks. The desired tissue in the block is localized with the help of HE-stained sections. The cylinder formed biopsies are removed from the donor block using a core needle and place in a “punch” in the recipient paraffin block. One can therefore gather hundreds of biopsies in a recipient block. The finished block is then sectioned and stained with HE or immunostaining. The finished stained TMA section is scanned in the NanoZoomer for further analysis by the pathologist/researcher.

Roadmap

• A web application will be completed focusing on visualizing and scoring TMA over the Internet.
• The visualizing and scoring functionality which is already established in the local version will be transferred. Also, a module will be made for “rapid scoring”, which means one can see multiple sections simultaneously under the classification process. This will facilitate more rapid classification of sections.
• A new design will be implemented and the solution will be optimized with emphasis on interactivity.
• User documentation (manual)

Media