Histology Unit
SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR:
TECHNICIEN COORDINATOR:
Histology, a branch of morphological sciences, is a relevant field that facilitates the comprehension of tissue shape and structure, as well as the characterisation of cellular anomalies.
CABIMER has developed a highly specialized histology service to address research requirements, encompassing tumor tissue characterization, embryonic histology, and animal pathology. The specimens received at the Histology Unit are processed according to the highest quality standards and with the latest technology, offering a comprehensive array of histology services to our research community.
The histology unit provides guidance, methods, and equipment for fixation techniques, tissue sectioning, and traditional staining to improve specimen visualization. The histology unit provides the development of personalized protocols upon request and based on availability.
The activities that can be carried out in the laboratory are, among others:
Paraffin sample processing:
- Programming and control of the automatic tissue inclusion processor.
- Sample decalcification
- Complete paraffin embedding processing
- Processing of samples in Histogel™ (Organoids, cell pellets, etc…)
- Serial microtome section and tissue assembly
- Dewaxing of sections, staining, dehydration and mounting of slides.
- Processing of frozen samples:
Preparation of blocks by freezing
- Serial cutting of blocks by freezing in the Cryostat and collecting sections on slides or in flotation
- Freeze section staining
Preparation of samples for cutting in Vibratomo:
- Preparation of fixed or in-vivo samples to make sections in Vibratomo
- Serial cutting of samples in Vibratome, mounting and staining
Stains:
- Hematoxylin-Eosin
- Masson’s trichrome
- PAS stain
- OIL RED stain
- Toluidine blue
- Nissl stain
- Quick Panopticon
Intracardiac perfusion of animals
Production of Tissue Microarrays (TMAs)
Cytocentrifugation
- Processing liquid samples on the Cytospin: programming, sample preparation, centrifugation, fixation and staining
Specific staining protocols can be developed on demand.
The following equipment is available at the Histology Unit:
- Leica TP 1020 Automatic Tissue Processor
- Leica EG 1150 H Paraffin Embedding Station
- Leica EG 1150 C Cooling Plate
- Selecta 60º C stove
- Motorized microtome paraffin sections Leica RM 2255
- Motorized microtome paraffin sections Leica RM 2155
- Two Leica CM 3050 S motorized cryostat
- Leica VT 1000 S Vibratome
- Two Zeiss Axioskop 40 routine microscopes, equipped with a digital camera
- Leica S9i Stereomicroscope
- Cytospin Shandon 4 Thermo Scientific
- Molds for Tissue Microarrays 4mm 15cores (TMAs)
- FASTLoad VWR Programmable Control Peristaltic Pump
- Flowtronic extraction hood
- 4º refrigerator
- -20º freezer
- Flotation bath
- Balance
- VWR VMS-C4 Heated Magnetic Stirrer
- Leica EGF thermal clamp
- Leica CLS 100X Cold Light Magnifier
