Experimental Histopathology Grants and Publications

Experimental Histopathology Grant Descriptions

Short Grant Description

The Experimental Histopathology shared resource offers histology, special stains, immunohistochemistry, digital imaging, quantitative image analysis and pathology support. The core has extensive experience with human and animal tissue and provides routine services as well as customized protocol development. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization services include optimization, single or multiplex IHC, single or multiplex ISH with chromagen or fluorescent detection.  Spatial genomics services for high plex detection of RNA or protein in tissues are also supported through collaboration with the Genomics Resource.

Long Grant Description 

The Experimental Histopathology shared resource is a full-service histology lab with extensive experience working with human specimens and animal models. The core is well-equipped for histology support with automated Sakura Tissue-Tek Paraffin Processors, a Tissue-Tek Paraffin Embedding unit, a Sakura hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stainer, Leica microtomes, a Leica cryostat, Leica BOND RX immunohistochemistry stainers, Nikon microscopes, and Nikon cameras.

Histology services include OCT embedding and sectioning of frozen samples, tissue fixation, paraffin processing and embedding, sectioning and H&E staining.

The core offers a wide spectrum of special stains, including periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Wright-Giemsa, Movat’s pentachrome, reticulin, silver stains, iron stain, Masson’s trichrome, Alcian blue, picro-sirius red, nuclear fast red, and stains for various bacteria and fungus. Special stain development is also available to support the needs of various studies.

Extensive immunohistochemistry, multiplex immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization services are available. The core uses automated immunochemistry stainers in order to offer consistency and standardized protocols on large- and small-scale projects. More than 200 single antibody protocols and more than 150 multiplex IHC protocols are available for staining human and animal tissue. The core also offers services in antibody optimization and novel antibody staining protocols.

Pathology review is available for histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. In addition, the staff collaborates with veterinary/comparative and clinical pathologists. The shared resource has a five-headed Nikon microscope with a camera to facilitate the review of samples and capture critical data.

Digital Pathology Laboratory:

Imaging and analysis of multiplex immunofluorescence staining can be performed in the Digital Pathology and Spatial Biology Laboratory, which is home to multiple imaging and slide scanning systems.  The Aperio Versa 200 is a 200-slide capacity imaging system for whole slide imaging of brightfield or fluorescent stains with up to four channels.  Two Evident VS200 slide scanners offer flexibility for high capacity brightfield imaging or precision fluorescent imaging of up to four fluorescent markers.  Two Akoya PhenoImager HT instruments each offer 80-slide capacity with the capability to perform spectral deconvolution and autofluorescence subtraction for up to nine-color images.   HALO AI (Indica Lab) or VisioPharm image analysis software is available to create custom algorithms to quantify IHC or ISH staining results on digital images.  The core offers training and independent investigator use on HALO or Visiopharm or analysis services by Experimental Histopathology staff are available.  

Spatial Biology:

The Experimental Histopathology Core offers high-plex detection of protein or RNA targets with spatial resolution through its Spatial Biology services. Many of these services are supported by collaborations with the Genomics & Bioinformatics Core and the Fred Hutch Innovation Lab.

The suite of services includes technologies from 10X Genomics, Bruker and Lunaphore to detect ultra high plex RNA and/or protein data with spatial resolution.  10X Genomics' offerings include Visium V1 for RNA detection in fresh frozen tissue, Visium with CytAssist for RNA and high-plex protein detection in both FFPE and frozen tissues, and Visium HD or 3’ for RNA in FFPE and fresh frozen tissues, with spatial resolution ranging from multiple to single-cell. Bruker’s GeoMx enables detection of the entire transcriptome or hundreds of proteins in specific regions while the CosMx offers single cell resolution on hundreds to thousands of protein or RNA markers.   The Lunaphore COMET is an automated staining and imaging platform, enabling detection of up to 40 unique protein and/or RNA markers on the same tissue section, with flexibility in panel design at a single-cell resolution.