Histology | Department of Medicine | School of Medicine

The TIME Core Histology Laboratory provides comprehensive tissue processing, sectioning, staining and electron microscopy services to support both clinical and research applications.

Led by Oliver Jones, the laboratory supports a wide range of tissue-based workflows, from standard paraffin and frozen sectioning to special stains and ultrastructural analysis. The facility is also integrated with TIME Core’s molecular biology, microscopy and flow cytometry platforms to support advanced spatialomics research.

Histology Capabilities

The laboratory provides tissue processing and analysis services using a full Leica histology suite and specialized electron microscopy equipment.

Services and equipment include:

Tissue processing and embedding – Leica HistoCore Suite
Frozen sectioning – Leica CM1860 Cryostat
Routine histology sectioning – Leica Multicut Microtome
Ultrathin sectioning for TEM – Leica Ultracut EM UC7
Standard and special staining
Transmission electron microscopy – DeLong LVEM25E
Scanning electron microscopy – DeLong LVEM25E
STEM and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS)

Histology and Tissue Analysis

Histology is well suited to studying tissue architecture, disease-related changes, marker localization and cellular infiltration. Standard and special stains can provide additional information about tissue structure and composition.

Special staining

In addition to standard H&E staining, the laboratory offers a range of special stains, including:

Sirius Red
Masson’s Trichrome
Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS)
Reticulin
Martius Scarlet Blue
Aniline Blue
Grocott’s Methenamine Silver

Tissue sections may also support downstream immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry workflows where appropriate.

Frozen sectioning

Frozen sectioning may be appropriate when fixation or routine tissue processing could affect a downstream application. Researchers should contact the Histology Laboratory in advance to determine whether frozen or paraffin sectioning is most appropriate for their study.

Electron Microscopy

The DeLong LVEM25E electron microscope supports TEM, STEM, SEM and EDS imaging, allowing researchers to examine cellular and subcellular structures at substantially higher resolution than conventional light microscopy.

Electron microscopy may be particularly useful for applications involving viruses, extracellular vesicles and other ultrastructural features that cannot be resolved through standard histological imaging.

Choosing an approach

Histology – best suited to examining overall tissue architecture, localization of markers and patterns of cellular infiltration
Electron microscopy – best suited to examining cellular ultrastructure and nanoscale features at higher resolution

Sample Requirements

Histology samples

The laboratory can work with tissue from a range of animal sources. Samples may be submitted as fixed tissue ready for processing or as pre-prepared formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks.

Researchers are encouraged to contact the laboratory for guidance on fixation protocols for their specific application.

Frozen samples

Projects requiring frozen sectioning should be discussed in advance to determine appropriate preservation and transportation requirements.

Important: Samples containing high-risk pathogens cannot be accepted for frozen sectioning, but may be accepted as fixed samples for FFPE processing where appropriate.

Electron microscopy samples

Samples for transmission electron microscopy may include small tissue samples or cell pellets. Tissue samples should be no larger than approximately 2 mm3.

Researchers should contact the laboratory in advance to discuss optimal fixation and sample preparation. Samples intended for scanning electron microscopy should also be reviewed with the laboratory to determine suitability.

Integrated Spatialomics Support

The Histology Laboratory is integrated with TIME Core’s molecular biology, microscopy and flow cytometry platforms to support spatially resolved analysis of tissues and cellular environments.

Using platforms such as Leica Cell DIVE, Leica SpectraPlex and Leica Aivia software, researchers can combine tissue preparation, molecular profiling and advanced imaging within a coordinated workflow.

Pricing and Booking

Pricing

Histology Laboratory services are available at a rate of $120 per hour.

How to book

Contact Oliver Jones directly to discuss your project, sample requirements and scheduling.

Oliver Jones: oj3@queensu.ca

Planning your project

Not sure which tissue preparation or imaging approach you need?

Contact the TIME Core Histology Laboratory before preparing your samples. The team can help determine the most appropriate fixation, sectioning, staining or electron microscopy workflow for your research question.

Oliver Jones: oj3@queensu.ca