Pathology Services
Overview
Our Pathology Service offers a full range of histological techniques to all Barts Cancer Institute (BCI) centres. The lab provides a service to the researchers at BCI who are working on projects in understanding the links between cancer and inflammation; basic and applied PI3K signalling; cancer screening and prevention; therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to cancer; and the roles played by cytoadhesion in modulating cancer spread.
We also provide a service to other QMUL departments and to external users.
Key Services
- Frozen tissue - processing and cutting of sections.
- Fixed tissue - processing (embedding in paraffin wax) and cutting of sections.
- Haematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining of frozen and paraffin sections.
- Automated Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining.
- Hotel services.
Other services such as FISH may be available on request.
How to book
The Pathology request form should be completed and sent to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please download the Pathology Histology Form here.
A copy of this form should accompany your samples, which should be taken to the above address during the following times:
- 10:00 – 12:00
- 14:00 – 16:00
Advice and training
As well as providing a high quality service, we offer advice and training on existing procedures.
A form to request training is available and should be emailed to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Download the Pathology Training Form here.
We are also open to collaborations on developing new procedures and techniques, so please get in touch about any potential new projects.
Hotel Services
We also provide use of our microtome and cryostat, which can be booked in advance (24hrs). Please download the Pathology Hotel Form and return it to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
- Training for use of this equipment will be provided on request.
- Minimum booking time is 30 minutes
- Prices plus consumables.
- Less than 12 hours notice for any cancellations may incur a charge.
| Examples of Immunohistochemistry | |||
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| Anti-HER2 staining on human breast cancer | InIsulin staining of human pancreatic islets cells | Muscle actin (monoclonal) on mouse intestine | Ki-67 on mouse colon with DAB Map |
Equipment
The Pathology Service uses a range of equipment to automate all the steps from tissue processing to staining and has a Ventana Discovery and XT systems. For full details of our equipment, see below:
Leica ST5010
Autostainer XL and CV5030 - Coverslipper
The Leica Autostainer XL is a robotic staining system for performing all our H & E staining; this system can be adapted for other standard routine staining methods. Please enquire if any other standard staining is required.
The Autostainer is attached to a Leica CV5030 fully automated glass coverslipper. This produces slides with superior optical quality for reliable long-term storage. It is designed to coverslip microscope glass slides bearing tissue sections.
Leica ASP300
Tissue Processor
The Leica ASP300 is a fully enclosed tissue processor and is designed for routine and research histopathology.
Leica RM2255
The Leica RM2255 rotary microtome, designed for fully motorised sectioning of paraffin embedded specimens, our service offers a broad application spectrum in routine and research histology specimens.
Leica CM3050 S
The Leica CM3050 S cryostat has a precise specimen orientation and the specimen feed system via a step motor mechanism which ensures reproducible thin serial frozen sections of maximum quality.
Olympus BX51
The BX51 is the ideal choice for various observation methods and especially for fluorescence or DIC microscopy.
Features and Benefits
- Bright 12V/100W halogen illumination source is ideal for transmitted light viewing.
- A light intensity, preset switch ensures reproducible lighting for photomicrography.
- Ergonomic Y-shaped frame for maximum stability and comfort, with low position focus control knobs located on both the left and right sides of the frame.
- Large 22mm field of view reduces scanning time.
- UIS2 optics deliver bright, sharp, high-contrast images.
- The 8-position universal condenser, with either a dry or oil top lens, enables you to perform brightfield, darkfied, Phase Contrast, DIC and fluorescence with all objectives from 4x to 100x.
