The European Union has launched Genome of Europe (GoE), the most ambitious genomic sequencing project ever undertaken in Europe. With participation from 27 countries, its goal is to create the first European reference genome, a crucial resource for developing personalized therapies, preventive strategies, and precise diagnostics.
In this context, the quality of biological samples is a key factor in ensuring reliable results in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). However, the standard use of Neutral Buffered Formalin (NBF) is often associated with extensive DNA fragmentation and chemically induced modifications that negatively impact analysis accuracy.
On the other hand, acid-free fixatives dramatically improve the quality of DNA extracted from tissues, reducing chemical artefacts compared to traditional fixatives. This enables more precise genomic analyses and broader profiling, an essential aspect of personalized medicine.
A study published in the esteemed journal Laboratory Investigation in January 2024 examined various fixatives, including Neutral Buffered Formalin (NBF) and Acid-Deprived Glyoxal Fixative (GAF®), assessing the quality of genetic material extractable from samples. NBF demonstrated the poorest performance in DNA preservation and sequencing compared to acid-free fixatives. As expected, phosphate-buffered formalin fixation causes multiple artefacts, particularly cytosine deamination into uracil and widespread DNA fragmentation.
The study revealed that GAF®, the fixative developed by ADDAX Biosciences, outperformed formalin in terms of DNA quality (greater fragment length), enabling more precise and accurate analyses.
GAF® emerged as the only non-carcinogenic option that successfully overcame the artefacts and poor DNA preservation associated with formalin fixation.
The ability to more accurately identify genetic variations and predict responses to pharmacological treatments represents a revolutionary advance in healthcare.
Innovative fixatives like GAF® could not only prove instrumental to Genome of Europe’s objectives but also open new pathways toward predictive genomics, optimizing treatments, reducing unnecessary interventions, and providing increasingly targeted, safe, and effective solutions for the population’s well-being.