Histology Services

Histology is a field that classically involved the thin sectioning of tissues from humans, animals and plants in order to examine their cellular structure using a light microscope. In recent decades a variety of ancillary detection methods have been developed (such as the use of protein-specific antibodies for immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence localization) to augment older, traditional chemical stains (such as hematoxylin and eosin). For any histology-based analysis, the four main steps are tissue fixation (such as in formaldehyde-based fixatives), tissue embedding (such as into wax), tissue section onto glass slides (using a microtome blade) and the staining of slides. All four steps are important for any histology-based analysis, which is why it is a good idea to seek expert advice earlier rather than later.