Histology Innovation Platform

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 at histology.gcrc [at] mcgill.ca for other possibilities.

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

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