RNA seq of rectal tumour tissue and paired healthy tissue, with EpCAM purification

Tumour tissue was immediately obtained post-surgery along with paired healthy tissue near (<2cm from tumour margin) and far (>10cm) from the tumour site. Each tissue was dissociated and stained with flow cytometry antibodies and sorted by FACS into Live/Dead-negative EpCAM-positive CD3-negative populations. An additional sample was passed through the FACS however no sorting was applied (control for the effect of sorting). Total RNA was purified and tissues compared for gene expression to identify potential hits that were assessed for protein expression and immunogenicity in later experiments.