Scientific technology & expertise
Westmead Histology
The Westmead Histology Facility is a well established open facility, equipped with modern state of the art equipment. Staff are available to provide training and services for researchers, students, affiliates and commercial users. Histology is used to understand the underlying microscopic details and cellular elements within tissue samples in both healthy and disease states.
Techniques, technologies & services
Westmead Histology has a range of equipment to undertake high quality research, encompassing tissue processing, embedding, and microtomy as well as histochemical staining.
Services
Tissue Processing/embedding
We handle experimental animal tissue (mouse, rat, pig), patient samples (surgical excision, biopsy), cultured organoids, precision-cut tissue slices and cells.
Paraffin Sectioning
Thin sections for histological stain, IF, and IHC; thick tissue scroll for DNA, RNA extraction and proteomics study.
Cryo-sectioning
Sections on slides for histological stain, IF, and IHC; thick sections in tubes for DNA, RNA extraction and proteomics study.
Tissue microarray (TMA)
TMA is a specialised tool for clinical studies allowing a multitude of samples to be arranged onto a single slide, maximising value and cost.
Slide preparation for spatial transcriptomics assay
We prepare slides for Visium assays, Xenium assays, and for COMET and CODEX techniques.
Histochemical Staining HE and Special Stains:
Hematoxylin and Eosin Stain (H&E)
This is the most widely used stain for medical diagnoses, and is often the gold standard for tissue examination.
Periodic acid-Schiff Stain (PAS)
This stain is often used to examine kidney lesions or to detect fungal infections after kidney transplantation.
Sirius Red Stain and Gomori Trichrome Stain
These two stains are both used to observe fibrosis after tissue damage in kidney, liver, heart, and lung.
Verhoeff’s Van Giesen Stain
This stain is used to detect structural change and the level of elastic fibres in aorta in kidney damage model and in heart after myocardial infarction.
Oil Red O Stain for lipid
(for frozen sections)
Westmead Research Hub (WRH) Facilities
Westmead Histology is one of nine core facilities at Westmead precinct. WRH core facilities are available for all WRH researchers, external researchers and industry partners. Learn more about what our other facilities have to offer.
Contact us
For more information on Westmead Research Hub facilities , contact our team at:
Location
The Histology Facility is located on Level 1 of the Westmead Institute for Medical Research