Histopathology

The Histopathology Unit (HU), located at the Marco Polo at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) provides assistance and technical work in Histology, for all IGC scientists. Service is provided by Joana Rodrigues, laboratory assistant. While the HU also has the capacity to provide service and supervision in preparative and microscope techniques in Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) this service is currently not available. Tours and demonstration of the electron microscopy facility (JEOL 100CX TEM) are provided for schools.

Services

The HU provides the following services:

(Performed by our own technician or on a self-service basis, except processing and paraffin embedding-not available for self-service)

• Processing and Paraffin Embedding
• Microtome Sectioning
• Cryostat sectioning
• Vibratome sectioning
• H&E staining
• Special staining (Gram, Giemsa, Ziehl-Neelsen)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Training for new users in sample preparation
• Planning and implementation of different histological techniques

How to use the service

1. Service Requests: should be made through the HelpDesk by opening a task and filling the “Service Request Form” when delivering samples or when requesting counseling; Every task will have an estimated time of delivery.
2. Task Delivery: Once the task is completed researchers will be contacted by HU to collect the corresponding materials. Material should not be stored at the HU for more than 30 days. Researchers are also requested to fill a final data sheet in which they will be asked to evaluate de quality of the service.
3. Vibratome and cryostat: Usage requires previous booking online. First time users need to get permission to use this equipment at https://agendo.cirklo.org/igc/. Users that are not trained must also request for training. Trained users with permission book directly at https://agendo.cirklo.org/igc/