Back to results

Virginia Tech

Focused Ultrasound Extraction (FUSE) for Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) DNA Extraction

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue is the most abundant, accessible, and versatile tissue sample type available for genetic research and clinical applications. However, FFPE DNA extraction presents unique challenges and requires lengthy incubation periods, which can be impractical for certain applications. Here, we propose the use of focused ultrasound extraction (FUSE) technology for improved DNA extraction from FFPE tissue. FUSE generates a dense bubble cloud of acoustic cavitation capable of ablating tissue into an acellular lysate. FUSE treatment was applied to de-paraffinized porcine pancreas FFPE scrolls, followed by heated incubation for formaldehyde-induced DNA-protein crosslink reversal. When applied for 30 minutes, FUSE was found to successfully extract DNA from FFPE tissue as defined by increased DNA yield and improved purity ratios compared to conventional methods. DNA extracted via FUSE showed comparable fragmentation to conventional methods, and three out of four samples successfully amplified via PCR, indicating suitability for downstream analysis. These findings suggest that FUSE has the potential to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of DNA extraction from FFPE tissue. Further development and optimization of this protocol could develop a streamlined, easy to use extraction method that would simplify FFPE DNA extraction methods and address the primary time constraints which currently make FFPE DNA extraction time-consuming and impracticable for high-throughput applications.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Biomedical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2023

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Mehochko, Isabelle Grace
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Vlaisavljevich, Eli
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Holmes, Hal
  • Allen, Irving C.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:37791
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/115718

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Mehochko, Isabelle Grace. Focused Ultrasound Extraction (FUSE) for Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) DNA Extraction. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2023. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/115718