Written by Emily Locke
Every major medical breakthrough begins with a single cell. Whether developing new cancer drugs or identifying biomarkers for personalized therapies, research relies on studying cells under standardized conditions. However, this is where the challenge lies: Human tissue is highly variable, and without reproducible cell models, reliable results and well-founded comparisons are hardly possible. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues have become an essential tool in research and diagnostics, as they enable the stabilization of cellular structures over long periods. By fixing the tissue in formalin and embedding it in paraffin, the tissue architecture is preserved, allowing for a detailed analysis of cells and proteins at a later stage [1]. This technique has been a standard in pathology for decades and serves as the foundation for numerous scientific studies. However, traditional FFPE samples often originate from biopsies and can therefore vary, making comparability more difficult.
This is where our new partner, Acepix Biosciences, comes in: With innovative, high-quality FFPE cell pellets, Acepix offers a controllable and reproducible alternative. These standardized cell pellets enable precise and consistent analyses, which are crucial for reliable scientific results and advancements in medical research. In addition to cost-effective FFPE human cell pellets, Acepix provides mouse, rat, and human tissue products that stand out as premium control materials due to their high consistency, precision, and reliability. Thanks to their versatility, Acepix products are used in various fields, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) [2].
1) "Shorten your path to discovery" – How Acepix Drives Your Research Forward
2) A-FLX™ FFPE Cell Pellets: The Ultimate Assay Controls
3) From Sample Processing to Digital Analysis: Acepix’s Comprehensive Services
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Under the motto “Shorten your path to discovery,” Acepix is committed to providing high-quality products and services for life science research, with a particular focus on cell-based and histopathological applications. Founded in 2017 in San José, California, the company now operates from its state-of-the-art, 8,200-square-foot facility in Union City, California. With more than 50 validated IHC antibodies and over 300 proprietary cell lines, Acepix owns the world's largest FFPE cell line bank. This extensive collection includes both human and small animal tissues, all of which are less than two years old to ensure intact biomarker expression. A unique selling point of Acepix: Unlike other providers, its cell lines are license-free for commercial customers!
Figure 1: Acepix’s approach to higher sample quality. Samples are collected, processed in-house, and prepared for long-term storage. A portion of the tissue samples is analyzed using RNAscope.
Acepix relies on a strictly controlled and highly precise manufacturing process to ensure exceptionally high sample quality (Fig. 1). All clinical samples are collected within 2 to 3 years and must undergo a two-hour cold ischemia period. They are then fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) for 16 to 32 hours. In contrast, animal samples are subjected to only a 30-minute cold ischemic exposure before being fixed for 24 hours at 24 to 27 °C. To guarantee biomolecule stability, FFPE cell pellets, tissue blocks, and slides are stored under dry conditions at 0 °C to 4 °C. A portion of the tissue samples is routinely analyzed using RNAscope technology to assess their suitability for RNA analysis. RNAscope, a patented method developed by the biotech company Advanced Cell Diagnostics, is based on a specialized variant of branched DNA hybridization and enables the detection of RNA in intact, paraformaldehyde-fixed cells [3].
With its innovative A-FLX™ technology, Acepix produces high-quality cell pellets in various formats, including blocks, slides (single or array), and FFPE scrolls. These products are available in different packaging sizes, offering high flexibility for a wide range of applications. The cell pellets can be customized to meet specific requirements – from fixation and pellet size (2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 mm in diameter) to cell density (1-90%). Custom-designed cell pellet arrays are also available. Thanks to A-FLX™ technology, Acepix ensures a uniform, homogeneous block structure and excellent biomolecule preservation. These properties make the cell pellets ideal tools for assays, test controls, biomarker discovery and validation, as well as antibody and probe validation [2].
Figure 2: Consistency within and between blocks of A-FLX™ cell pellets. Acepix provides highly consistent and reliable control material with a coefficient of variation (CV) of less than 5%.
The high quality of A-FLX™ cell pellets is ensured through strictly controlled fixation and a homogeneous distribution, providing remarkable consistency both within and between blocks (Fig. 2). Another advantage: The cell pellets are cost-efficient, as each pellet yields more than 300 sections at a thickness of 4 µm. Acepix offers over 50 types of normal and tumor tissues, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer samples. All tumor tissues contain a viable tumor fraction of more than 40% and a necrosis fraction of less than 10%. Only very young tissue is used, ensuring excellent RNA quality. The FFPE human tissue samples include detailed information such as age, gender, ethnicity, clinical diagnosis, type of surgery, pathology report, and year of collection. Additionally, Acepix provides fresh-frozen or FFPE tissue blocks and slides from mouse and rat tissues [2].
All Products from Acepix Biosciences
Acepix supports your research not only with high-quality products but also with extensive service offerings. A particular focus is placed on histopathological services, providing tailored complete solutions from the processing of native tissues to digital archiving and analysis. The core histological services include FFPE processing, including macroscopic preparation, tissue processing, embedding, TMA construction, and FFPE sections, as well as cryo-processing. Acepix also offers support for histological staining techniques, such as H&E staining and specialized stains. Additionally, the service portfolio includes advanced staining techniques like IHC, ISH, and automated staining. Digital archiving, image analysis, as well as pathological evaluation and the creation of pathology reports, complete the offerings [2].
In addition to histopathological services, Acepix offers cell line-based services ranging from regular cell culture and transfections to various assays. Acepix also provides support for automated nucleic acid extraction, allowing for the quantification of DNA or RNA from both cells and fresh samples as well as FFPE samples. Protein extraction is also possible. Another highlight is the Biomarker Discovery Service, which assists research and pharmaceutical companies in identifying and characterizing new biomarkers for diagnostics and therapy development. With state-of-the-art cell models, preclinical studies, and highly specialized analytical techniques, Acepix enables precise investigations of biomarker expression, signaling pathways, and molecular biological mechanisms – an essential foundation for personalized medicine and innovative drug development.
[1] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formalin-fixiertes_Paraffin-eingebettetes_Gewebe, 23.03.2025.
[2] https://acepixbio.com/home/, 23.03.2025.
[3] https://www.laborjournal.de/rubric/methoden/methoden/v134.php, 23.03.2025.