Precision oncology depends on high-quality nucleic acids for accurate next-generation sequencing (NGS). Yet during routine core needle biopsy (CNB) procedures, valuable tumor cells are often dislodged and discarded, while formalin fixation (FFPE) can further compromise nucleic acid integrity through crosslinking and fragmentation. These limitations can reduce sequencing performance, hinder variant detection, and restrict access to actionable molecular insights.
In this collaborative whitepaper, Zymo Research and Virchow Medical present an integrated biopsy workflow designed to capture and preserve dislodged tumor cells at the time of biopsy. By pairing the Crow's Nest® Biopsy Catchment System featuring DNA/RNA Shield™ stabilization with optimized nucleic acid purification and NGS library preparation methods, the study demonstrates improved nucleic acid integrity and enhanced sequencing outcomes compared to traditional FFPE processing.
Key highlights include:
- A novel biopsy-integrated cell recovery approach that captures tumor material typically lost during standard CNB procedures.
- Immediate nucleic acid stabilization to preserve molecular integrity and minimize pre-analytical degradation.
- Improved DNA and RNA quality metrics, supporting higher-confidence variant detection and enhanced NGS performance relative to FFPE-derived samples.
- A streamlined workflow compatible with downstream multi-omic analysis and precision oncology applications.
This whitepaper provides a practical framework for transforming biopsy waste into high-value molecular data. By maximizing the diagnostic yield of every procedure, laboratories and clinical teams can expand access to genomic profiling while reducing the need for repeat biopsies.
Discover how Zymo Research and Virchow Medical are redefining biopsy workflows to deliver higher-quality sequencing data and accelerate precision oncology.