Histology

The mission of the histology facility at Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) is to meet the expanding research needs of basic scientists and clinical researchers who require tissue processing. Our facility offers both standard and tailored research-specific histology services, catering to a diverse range of tissue samples and employing various staining techniques based on specific research objectives. We are equipped with an automated tissue processor, embedding station, motorized microtomes, autostainer, coverslipper, cryostats and a vibratome that allow tissue processing to be carried out rapidly and reproducibly.

The histology facility offers:

For a full listing of equipment, see the Equipment section. For services and fees, see the Services section and Fees section. Services are available to the SRI community and to investigators from external institutions.

Equipment

Leica ASP 300
Leica ASP 300

The Leica ASP 300 automatic vacuum tissue processor is an automated tissue processor for fixation, dehydration and paraffin infiltration of specimens.

Leica Autostainer XL
Leica Autostainer XL

The Leica Autostainer XL is used for hematoxylin and eosin staining.

Leica Autostainer XL

Leica EG 1160
Leica EG 1160

The Leica EG 1160 embedding station embeds specimens in paraffin blocks.

Leica EG 1160

Leica RM 2255
Leica RM 2255

The Leica RM 2255 automatic rotary microtome sections paraffin-embedded specimens into thin slices.

Leica CM3050 S
Leica CM3050 S

The Leica CM3050 S cryostat sections frozen specimens.

Leica VT1000 S
Leica VT1000 S

The Leica VT1000 S vibrating blade microtome can section fixed or fresh specimens immersed in buffer solution.

Leica VT1000 S

Leica CV5030
Leica CV5030

The facility also has a Leica CV5030 fully automated glass coverslipper that can reliably produce large volumes high quality slides.

Service/EquipmentInternal Fees
Paraffin
Processing/embedding$10.50/block
Multiple tissues processing/embedding (more than two per cassette)$12/block
Microtomy (first slide)$6/block
Cut extra sections from same tissue cassette)$3.75/slide
Cut sections from (different) pre-existing block$3.75/slide
Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining$3.75/slide
Special handling fee *$60/hour
Frozen
Cut section from block onto one slide$3.75/slide
Collect additional level(s) on same slide (price per additional level$2.63/section
H&E staining of section (from frozen tissue block)$3.75/slide
Special handling fee *$60/hour
Vibratome
Handling fee (not embedding in agarose)$7.50/block
Handling fee (embedding in agarose)$15/block
Section (for histology)$1.50/section
Special handling fee *$60/hour

*Special handling fee is applied additionally depending on a request or when it requires an extensive time to produce a single slide.

**Special staining is available upon request

***External researchers please contact Petia for pricing.

Tissue for paraffin embedding

For optimal preservation of tissue morphology, it is recommended that the thickness of the tissue fall within the range of 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm.

  • For subsequent hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, it is advisable to utilize a fresh solution of 10% neutral buffered formalin, ensuring a volume at least 10 times that of the specimen.
  • If further immunohistochemistry is planned, we suggest reviewing the datasheet of the primary antibody for information on any optional fixative types and the recommended duration of fixation.

Tissue for frozen sectioning (cryosectioning)

Un-fixed and fixed tissue samples can be frozen sectioned.

  • For unfixed tissue, it is crucial to freeze it as quickly as possible after harvesting to prevent the damaging effects of autolysis.
  • In the case of fixed tissue, formalin-fixed tissue can be cryopreserved by immersing it in a 30% sucrose solution. This process helps protect cellular structures and components from damage during freezing by reducing the formation of ice crystals within the cells. Finally, the specimen can be embedded in OCT and stored as a frozen block.

For help with freezing technique, contact Petia Stefanova at 416-480-6100 ext. 63356 or pstefanova@sri.utoronto.ca .

Helpful links

The histology core facility offers paraffin services including the tissue processing, embedding, sectioning, and various staining for tissues. One-on-one services are available to discuss tissue processing, embedding orientation and staining preferences. Additionally, the facility provides frozen and vibratome services.

The facility offers training and self-access to three pieces of equipment – microtome, cryostat and vibratome.

  • Tissue processing: Tissue processing starts with a fixation step that preserves the tissue followed by steps that dehydrate, clear and infiltrate the tissue with paraffin wax.
  • Decalcification: This technique removes mineral from bone and other calcified tissues so that good-quality paraffin sections can be prepared.
  • Paraffin embedding: This process creates paraffin blocks from specimens that have been thoroughly infiltrated with paraffin wax. The blocks can be clamped into a microtome for sectioning.
  • Sectioning: Using a microtome, very thin sections are cut and placed on a microscope slide for staining.
  • Routine staining: Routine staining uses hematoxylin and eosin dyes to stain thin tissue sections, which allows tissue morphology to be visualized.
  • Special staining: Special stains are useful for identifying specific cell types, demonstrating certain cellular components, or highlighting particular pathological features.
  • Cryosectioning: Cryosectioning is an alternative tissue preparation technique that quickly freezes tissue to preserve it. This technique is generally used when chemical fixatives need to be avoided.
  • Vibratoming: This procedure uses a vibrating blade microtome to cut sections of fixed or fresh tissue under physiological conditions without freezing or embedding.

Download our online service request form (Fillable PDF)

For self-service access to the SRI histology facility, principal investigators (PIs) are required to do the following:

Additional details on the terms and conditions of use are provided in the SRI histology facility service agreement form (docx) .

Self-service fee schedule

The following fee schedule is for open access to the facility for SRI members.

DescriptionFees
Access fee is an annual fee for PIs who wish to have trainee access$600
Histology annual usage fees (capped to ensure affordability for our members)$2,000
No-show or cancellation fee (without 24-hour notice)$50
Facility orientation fee$50 per trainee

The following fee schedule is for open access to the facility for non-SRI members.

DescriptionFees
Access fee is an annual fee for PIs who wish to have trainee access$1,200
Histology annual usage fees (capped to ensure affordability for our members)$4,000
No-show or cancellation fee (without 24-hour notice)$75
Facility orientation fee$75 per trainee

We offer training on the following equipment that can then be used by trainees independently.

EquipmentTraining FeeRefresher FeeUsage Fee
SRInon-SRISRInon-SRISRInon-SRI
Leica CM3050 S cryostat*

Must provide your own anti-roll plate, disposable blade and microscope slides, slide boxes or racks
$125/hr$187.50/hr$62.50/hr$93.75/hr$30/hr$45/hr
Leica RM 2255 automatic rotary microtome

Must provide your own disposable blades, microscope slides, slide boxes or racks
$125/hr$187.50/hr$62.50/hr$93.75/hr$30/hr$45/hr
Leica VT1000 S vibrating blade microtome (for histology)

Must provide your own disposable blades, PBS for sectioning, plates to collect sections in
$125/hr$187.50/hr$62.50/hr$93.75/hr$30/hr$45/hr
Leica VT1000 S vibrating blade microtome (for live slice culture)

Provide reagents as above. Also arrange in advance to have chamber and sample holder autoclaved
$125/hr$187.50/hr$62.50/hr$93.75/hr$30/hr$45/hr

Contact

Petia Stefanova 416-480-6100 ext. 63356