MagMAX™ FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit - FAQs

View additional product information for MagMAX™ FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit - FAQs (A31881)

21 product FAQs found

How can I increase my chances of successful extraction of FFPE samples in terms of DNA quality and yield?

There are a number of factors that can impact the overall quality and yield of DNA isolated from FFPE tissues. Here are recommendations to address several key factors:

- Upstream tissue procurement and tissue specimen preparation - if possible, tissues should be fixed within one hour of surgical resection. The optimal fixation time is 12-24 hours using neutral-buffered formalin or paraformaldehyde. Fixed tissues should be thoroughly dehydrated prior to the embedding process.
- Block storage - storage of blocks without cut faces, when possible, prevents ongoing damage from exposure to atmospheric oxygen, water, and other environmental factors such as light and infestation (fungi, insects, etc.).
- Tissue type, size, and amount being used for DNA isolation - the recommended tissue thickness is 10-20 µm. The number of sections used is determined by the tissue type (which impacts cell density) and surface area (recommended size: 50-300 mm^2). Excess starting material can cause filter clogging, resulting in poor yield.
- Excessive amount of paraffin used for embedding tissues - when possible, excess paraffin should be trimmed away prior to starting the purification protocol. For xylene-based purification methods, two xylene treatments at room temperature should be sufficient for complete deparaffinization. If desired, a more rigorous 37-55 degrees C treatment can be performed for up to 30 minutes. After the xylene deparaffinization, it is crucial that the 100% ethanol is completely removed and the pellets are dry after the two 100% ethanol washes. The magnetic bead method employs novel chemistries to deal with the paraffin that limits input to 20 µm sections.

Read more about extraction of nucleic acids from FFPE samples here (http://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/references/Invitrogen-tech-support/rna-isolation/general-articles/extraction-of-nucleic-acids-from-ffpe-samples.html).

What can I use to extract DNA from FFPE (formalin fixed paraffin embedded) samples?

We offer 2 kits: RecoverAll Total Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit for FFPE and MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit Read more about the differences between these kits here (http://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/dna-rna-purification-analysis/dna-extraction/genomic-dna-extraction/dna-extractions-working-with-ffpe-samples.html).

Is there a limit to the size of curls that can be processed with the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit (Cat. No. A31881)?

There is no specific upper limit to curl size for use with the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra kit (Cat. No. A31881). If all of the tissue is able to be submerged in the 200 µL of buffer, then the large volume of protocol should work. Please keep in mind when processing sections that are thicker than 40 µm, additional digestion buffer, binding solution, and wash buffer, may need to be purchased separately (Cat. No. A32796).

Can I use a heat block for the AutoLys M tube incubation?

No. The AutoLys M tubes don't fit in a standard 1.5 mL or 2.0 mL heat block. We recommend incubating the tubes in the tube racks in an incubator or oven.

What kind of centrifuge do I need to spin down the AutoLys M Tubes (Cat. No. A38738)?

Any centrifuge with plate adapters will work. The AutoLys M Tube Racks fit nicely into those adapters.

Do I need to buy the AutoLys M TubeLifter (Cat. No. A37956) or AutoLys M Tube Pliers (Cat. No. A38261) to use the AutoLys M Tubes (Cat. No. A38738)?

No, the AutoLys M Tubes can be lifted manually, but the tools significantly reduce hand strain and increase ease of use as well as throughput.

Do the AutoLys M Tubes come with the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit?

No, they have to be purchased separately together with some other products that are necessary for using the AutoLys M Tube system efficiently:
- AutoLys M Tubes and Caps (Cat. No. A38738)
- Autolys M Tube Locking Lid (Cat. No. A37954)
- AutoLys M TubeLifter (Cat. No. A37956)
- AutoLys M Tube Pliers (Cat. No. A38261)
- AutoLys M Tube Racks (Cat. No. A37955)

How does using the the AutoLys M Tube system help in increase the DNA/RNA yield from FFPE samples?

The FFPE-associated wax and debris are held in the upper chamber of the AutoLys M tube while the lysate passes through. Nucleic acids can then be purified from the clarified lysate. The AutoLys M tubes thus reduce manipulation of the sample eliminating the need to pellet the tissue and wash, so tissue loss is minimized

Can I use the AutoLys M Tube system with any of your FFPE sample prep kits or has it only been optimized for the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit?

The AutoLys M Tube system has only been tested with the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit, but it may also work with our RecoverAll Total Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit for FFPE .

I am planning on using your MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit. I don't want to perform a deparaffinization step using organic solvents, is there an alternative reagent or method I can use?

Yes, we offer the AutoLys M Tube system, which creates cleared lysates from FFPE tissue samples without the need for deparaffinization or wash steps, while increasing DNA and RNA yields.

With the Oncomine BRCA Research Assay, which method do you recommend for isolating gDNA?

We recommend the following DNA isolation kits:

- RecoverAll Total Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit for FFPE (Cat. No. AM1975)
- Ion Ampliseq Direct FFPE DNA Kit (Cat. Nos. A31133, A31136)
- MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit (Cat. No. A31881)
- PureLink Genomic DNA Mini Kit (Cat. Nos, K182000, K182001, K182002)

Can I use a different elution buffer for the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit than the one that is included in the kit?

We highly recommend using the elution buffer that is included in the kit. Our R&D team has tested nuclease-free water for elution and has found it not to be as efficient resulting in more bead clumping and lower RNA/DNA yield.

I only need DNA (or RNA) from my FFPE section. Can I use the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit for isolating DNA (or RNA) exclusively?

Yes, we have a protocol for isolating DNA only (http://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/MAN0015905_MagMAX_FFPE_DNA_only_Ultra_UG.pdf) and RNA only (http://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/MAN0015906_MagMAX_FFPE_RNA_only_Ultra_UG.pdf).

Can I use the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit for isolating RNA and DNA from the same FFPE sample?

Yes, we have a protocol (https://tools.thermofisher.com/content/sfs/manuals/MAN0015877_MagMAX_FFPE_DNA_RNA_Ultra_UG.pdf) for sequentially isolating DNA and RNA from the same FFPE sample.

Can I purchase any of the buffers that come with the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit separately?

Protease Digestion Buffer, Binding Solution, and DNA Wash Buffer are also available as standalone Cat. No. A32796. For processing sections that are thicker than 40 µm, additional reagents would be required.

Can the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit be used for miRNA extraction?

Yes. We recommend using sections of 10 µm or thicker for miRNA extraction.

Can the buffers of the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit be used for the MagMAX FFPE Total Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit and vice versa?

No, the buffers of the two kits are quite different and cannot be used interchangeably.

I can see on your website that you offer several MagMAX kits for FFPE samples. Which kit do you generally recommend?

We recommend using the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit since it is the most versatile and optimized kit. In addition to just isolating RNA or DNA, it allows for sequential isolation of RNA and DNA from the same FFPE sample.

What is the major difference between the MagMAX FFPE Total Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit and MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit?

The MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit allows for the sequential isolation of RNA and DNA from the same FFPE sample. The MagMAX FFPE Total Nucleic AcidIaolation kit requires you to perform separate protocols for RNA and DNA extraction using separate FFPE sections.

Why is no RNase digestion step required when I only want to isolate DNA from FFPE samples using the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit?

RNAse digestion is not needed because the DNA binding step has been optimized so that minimal RNA is pulled into the DNA fraction. For most downstream applications, some residual RNA should not cause any interference.

Why does the manual for the MagMAX FFPE DNA/RNA Ultra Kit suggest using Citrisolv Clearing Agent for removal of paraffin from the FFPE samples? Can I use xylene instead?

Yes, xylene can be used as well. Citrisolv Clearing Agent is a healthier alternative to xylene as it does not need to be handled under a fume hood.