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We’ve moved

The Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute can now be found at

Histology Innovation Platform

The GCI'sHistology Facility provides a full range of histology services to the ۲ݮƵ research community as well as the surrounding academic and private sectors at very competitive prices.

Under the guidance of a board certified veterinary comparative pathologist, our highly trained histology technicians provide the highest standards in histotechnology services. Under strict quality control surveillance, your samples will be processed in quick turn-around time. Your satisfaction is our pride.


Contact us:

Office514-398-5647
Lab514-398-8270
Emailhistology.gcrc [at] mcgill.ca

Contact names:

Plinio Da Cruz (plinio.queirozdacruz [at] mcgill.ca)

Nicole Robinson (nicole.robinson2 [at] mcgill.ca)


Grossing Tissue Trimming & Cassetting

Grossing, often referred to as “cut-up”, involves a careful examination of the specimen to ensure that the proper area is chosen and the specimen is the proper thickness. Larger specimens may require further dissection to produce representative pieces from appropriate areas. For example multiple samples may be taken from the excision margins of a tumor to ensure that the tumor specimen has normal tissue surrounding it to check for infiltration. In the case of small specimens the entire specimen may be processed. The tissues selected for processing will be placed in cassettes (small perforated baskets) and batches will be loaded onto a tissue processor for processing through to wax.

If you are not sure what or how you should be submitting your samples we can assist you.

Processing & Embedding

Processing: Tissue Tek VIP5 Vacuum Infiltration Processor

The GCRC Histology Core Facility uses an automatic, self-contained tissue processor, which holds up to 300 cassettes. The VIP software is programmable for up to 20 different programs for use in the fixation, dehydration, clearing and paraffin of a variety of specimens. We can customize programs to the specific needs of our clients.

Embedding: Leica EG 1150H

The Leica EG1150 modular tissue embedding center incorporates two separate components, the independent modules offer the flexibility to arrange embedding workflow for maximum efficiency.

Tissue is oriented in a metal mold filled with hot paraffin.

Cutting & Staining Routine & Special Stains

Cutting
Equipped with various automatic and manual microtomes our staff will provide publication quality paraffin sections from 4 microns or thicker.

There is 1 Leica microtome dedicated for student use.

Staining
The Leica ST5020 Multistainer produces consistent, high-quality results for both routine and special stains and can perform single or multiple protocols at the same time.

Special Stains
We have a large choice of special stains to choose from.

Can’t find the stain you need? Contact us athistology.gcrc [at] mcgill.cafor other possibilities.

Stain Results Stain Stain

Congo Red

Amyloid

Oil Red O

Lipids

Cresyl Violet

Nissel Substances

P.A.S

Glycogen,mucin & some basement membrane

Verhoff

Elastic Fibers

P.A.S./Alcian Blue

To demonstrate the full complement of tissue proteoglycans

Wright Geimsa

Facilitates the differentiation of blood cell types

Prussian Blue

Iron

Gomory Reticulin

Reticulum fibers

Toluidine Blue

Mast Cells

Gram Bacteria

Von Kossa

Minerals

Grocott (GMS)

Fungi

Warthin-Starry

Microorganisms

Luxol Fast Blue

Mylene

Ziehl-Neelsen

Acid fast Bacilli

Masson’s Trichrome

Collagen
Mucicarmine Mucin

Nuclear Fast Red

Nuclear

Immunohistochemistry

The histology core is excited to announce a new service for automated immunohistochemistry.
We have established protocols for the following markers:

  • Ki 67
  • CD31
  • Pan Cytokeratin
  • Paralbumin
  • Phospho-STAT3
  • Samatostain

Other markers may be developed upon request, as long as an appropriate antibody is available.

Validated IHC Stains

Marker

Target Population

Target species

Notes

ATP6IP2 (aka PRR)

Cells expressing ATP6IP2

Mouse, human

Specificity of staining uncertain

Beta-catenin

cells expressing beta-catenin

Mouse, rat, human, primate

CEACAM-1

cells expressing CEACAM-1

Mouse, human

Mouse monoclonal antibody

CD3

T lymphocytes

Mouse, human, rat

CD31

Endothelial cells

Mouse only

CD31

Endothelial cells

Rat only

CD34

Mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells, endothelium

Human
CD34

Mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells, endothelium

Mouse, rat, others

CD79a

B lymphocytes

all except mouse

Cyclin D1

cells in proliferative phase

mouse, human, rat

CC3 (cleaved caspase-3)

Apoptotic cells

Mouse, human, rat

GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein)

Astrocytes

All

phospho-Histone H2A.X

Cells expressing phosphorylation of Histone 2A.X at ser139 (indicating DNA damage)

Mouse, human, rat

May also stain cells undergoing division

phospho-Histone H3

Cells in mitotic phase

Mouse, human

Iba-1

Macrophages

Mouse, human, rat, primate

Ki-67

Proliferating cells (all cell cycle phases)

Mouse, human, others

Melanoma gp100

Melanoma cells

Mouse, human

used with red chromogen (AEC) to distinguish from melanin

MBP (myelin basic protein)

Myelin (cerebral white matter, nerves)

All

NoGo-A

Oligodendrocytes

Mouse, rat, human, primate

Cytoplasmic marker

Olig-2

Oligodendrocytes

Mouse, rat, human, primate

Nuclear marker

p53

Cells overexpressing p53

Mouse, rat

Should recognize wild and mutant p53

pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3)

Most epithelia (cytokeratins 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,10,14,15,16,19)

all except mouse

Does not react with cytokeratin 18 (most hepatocellular carcinomas negative). May react with glial cells and tumors

Parvalbumin

Parvalbumin-positive neurons

Human

phospho-SMAD3 (ser423/425)

Cells expressing SMAD3 phosphorylation at ser423/425

Mouse, human, primate

phospho-STAT (tyr405)

Cells expressing STAT3 phosphorylation at tyr705

Mouse, human, primate

Staining highly dependent on tissue fixation conditions

Somatostatin

Cells producing somatostatin

Human

Spondin 2

Cells expressing spondin 2

Mouse, human

Specificity of staining uncertain

UCP-1

Cells expressing UCP-1

Mouse, rat, others

Specificity of staining uncertain

vWF (vonWillebrand factor)

endothelial cells, platelets

Rat
In preparation
VEGF

Training

Our qualified histology technicians can provide training to staff and students in:

  • General histology protocols (fixation, grossing, sample orientation etc.)
  • Paraffin embedding
  • Sectioning of paraffin and frozen samples
  • Staining of paraffin and frozen sections

The histology core provides a dedicated student room equipped with a Fisher embedder, a Leica microtome, and 2 cryostats. (Microm & Fisher Cryotome). The student room is available 24/7 all year round.

Tissue Microarrays Construction, Cutting & Staining

TMA Grand Master (currently the only one in Canada)

Highest capacity: 72 blocks
• 60 donor blocks at the same time
• 12 recipient blocks

4 core diameters
• 0.6 mm max. 558 cores
• 1 mm max. 286 cores
• 1.5 mm max. 135 cores
• 2 mm max. 84 cores

Fastest microarrayer
• 2 mm max. 84 cores
• max. 12 seconds per core
• Simultaneous loading, imaging, drilling and punching

Smart automation
• Automatic block height measurement to ensure the embedded cores are in alignment with the recipient block surface
• Automatic barcode reading , donor block and label image saving for reference, project data saving into Excel file and Automatic PCR extraction

PCR extraction function
• 6 PCR cassettes
•10 PCR tubes/cassettes

Use of cleaning block to avoid cross contamination

Extracted FFPE tissue samples are ready for DNA extraction and PCR analysis with commercially available kits

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