LIMS Histology Facility
The LIMS Histology Facility offers a suite of precision instruments for high quality specimen preparation and sectioning. Sections are suitable for histochemical, or immunochemical staining techniques for light microscopy-based investigations (fluorescence and bright-field), or for qualitative and quantitative confocal microscopic analyses. In addition, equipment for the preparation of tissue slices for live recording is available.
Key capabilities of the facility include:
- automated specimen processing,
- embedding of tissues in paraffin or OCT compound,
- precise thin sectioning of fresh, cryostat-frozen and paraffin-embedded tissues,
- preparation of thick sections and tissue slices.
Equipment
Leica TP1020 tissue processor
Automated fixation, dehydration and wax impregnation of tissue specimens.
Leica EG1150 tissue embedder
Embedding of tissue specimens in paraffin wax for subsequent microtome sectioning. Used in conjunction with the Leica RM2235 microtome.
Leica RM2235 microtome
Manual precision sectioning of paraffin embedded tissue (2- 40 µm range). Capable of sectioning relatively hard materials.
Leica CM1850 cryostat microtome
Rapid specimen freezing. Cryosectioning of frozen OCT-embedded tissues (2-60 µm range). Equipped with a CryoJane tape-transfer system for cryosectioning of difficult tissues.
Leica VT1200 vibrating blade microtome
Precision sectioning of fresh tissue samples (25-500 µm range).Particularly suited to sectioning of brain tissues. Tissue sections suitable for physiology studies such as patch-clamping.
Services
The LIMS Histology Facility provides a range of services including specimen preparation (for research and undergraduate teaching), training and research support. These services are available to both LIMS and external users. Prospective clients are encouraged to contact the facility manager to discuss their histology requirements and obtain a quote.
Funding support
LIMS gratefully acknowledges the Clive and Vera Ramaciotti and Rebecca L. Cooper Foundations for providing funds to purchase the Leica cryostat and vibrating blade microtomes respectively.
Contact
For more information about accessing the LIMS Histology Facility, please contact:
Dr Jacqueline Orian
T: +61 3 9479 1113
E: J.Orian@latrobe.edu.au