We have a large number of human tissue samples embedded in epoxy and want to extract DNA for SNP analysis. I have used all the procedures that I found on the web without much success. I recently found an extraction protocol from PolySciences (attached) and I wonder if anyone has tried this approach.
Hi, I don't have experience but I've heard the word 'epoxy resin' applied to many different kinds of plastic embedding media. I don't know which specific epoxy you're talking about. For what I know, Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) can be removed prior to immunohistochemical staining to allow antibodies to penetrate the section (although it's a pain) and so a similar protocol could be used to release DNA for genomic analysis. For Glycol methacrylate (GMA), it's impossible to clear it and basically you have a hard rock from which only sections can be obtained for limited staining. Hopefully you don't have either of MMA or GMA but something easier. Please keep us posted.
Thanks for your answer. I am going to go ahead and use the Polysciences epoxy removal kit which will hopefully solubilize the Epon (EM grade) such that the remaining tissue can be centrifuged out and the DNA extracted by standard methods.
Hello Naoji and Oscar, I was unable to extract any DNA that was capable of being amplified by PCR using the Polysciences kit. My feeling is that once the tissue is fixed using the resin it is either incapable of being extracted (bound to the resin) or has been somehow badly damaged. We have now given up trying to obtain DNA from these type of sections. We have had good success with FFPE tissues using the Qiagen kit. Sorry for the long delay in replying but work took hold and this slipped my mind. Onward!!
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