The Melbourne Histology Platform provides researchers at the University of Melbourne and affiliated institutes in and outside the Parkville precinct with:
- High quality biological tissue preparation, processing and staining for histology
- A consulting service for experimental design
- Training in current and recently developed methods relating to histology
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As well as offering a full professional histology service, the Melbourne Histology Platform can provide full training in the required histological techniques, which researchers can then perform using the equipment and facilities available on a pay-for-use basis. We work in collaboration with key University microscopy services including the Biological Optical Microscopy Platform and the BioSciencesMicroscopy Unit.
Capabilities
We perform a range of core and advanced histology procedures including:
- Paraffin and frozen tissue embedding
- Paraffin, cryo-and vibro-microtome tissue sectioning
- Automated haematoxylin and eosin staining
- Routine and special staining including silver stains
- Antibody labelling/immunohistochemistry
- Sectioning and staining of a range of tissues including human, rodent, insect, plant and sea anenomes
Our technical staff have over 30 years’ combined experience in routine and specialised histology techniques.
Equipment
- Sakura Tissue Tek paraffin processor (staff operated)
- Sakura Tissue Tek paraffin embedders
- Microm paraffin microtomes
- Leica CM1900 cryostat
- Leica CM1860 cryostat
- Leica VT1000 S vibrating blade microtome
- Leica autostainer XL and coverslipper (staff operated)
- Dako Link 48 automated immunostainer (staff operated)
- Primera slide printer
- Pulsar cassette printer
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Quotes
Request a quote for your histology needs below:
Services
| Service | Charge | Additional information |
|---|---|---|
|
Professional services (including labour, technical assistance and in-depth experimental design consultation) |
$109.00/hr (minimum 30 mins charge) |
E.g. cutting, staining, technical service, consultation for experimental design. Excludes reagents & consumables |
|
Paraffin processing of tissue cassettes (cassettes wrapped in foil) |
$6.00/block if biopsy pad and cassette supplied by client $6.15/block if biopsy pad and cassette supplied by Platform | For mega blocks, add $1.00/block |
|
Paraffin processing of tissue cassettes followed by embedding by Platform staff | $11.00/block | For mega blocks, add $1.00/block |
| Decalcification | $9.60/sample | |
| Automated haematoxylin and eosin staining | $3.00/slide | |
| Automated cover-slipping | $0.40/slide |
Equipment/facilities for client use
| Service | Charge | Additional information |
|---|---|---|
| User inductions and training | ||
|
Induction to Platform (compulsory for users of the in-house equipment and facilities) | $54.50/session |
If users from multiple research group attend, the charge is split between the groups |
|
Equipment lesson for microtome, cryostat or vibratome |
$54.50 per 30 mins per person (minimum 1 hr) |
Equipment lessons are strictly one-on-one |
| Equipment and facilities | ||
| Embedding or re-embedding of paraffin block | $2.00/block | |
| Freezing of tissue using isopentane | $8.50 per 15 mins | |
| Paraffin microtome use |
$8.00/hr (minimum 1 hr charge) | Blades not included |
| Cryostat use |
$30.00/hr (minimum 30 mins charge) | Consumables included |
| Vibratome use | $15.00/hr | Consumables included |
|
Light microscope (Olympus CX3 series microscope with digital imaging system) | $12.00/hr |
$15.00/hr if users are not otherwise clients of the Platform |
| General usage of available facilities | $8.50 per 15 mins |
E.g. staining, glassware usage, consumables, dewaxing/coverslipping by hand |
Staining
Staff labour costs may also apply.
| Stain | Charge |
|---|---|
| Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) | $3.00/slide |
| Nissl (cressyl violet), nuclear fast red, toluidine blue, orcein, alcian blue (AB), picro-sirius red | $3.00/slide |
| Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Congo red, Giemsa, Perl’s, Verhoeff–Van Gieson (VVG) (more stains available) | $6.60/slide |
| Masson trichrome, Luxol fast blue (LFB), AB/PAS (more stains available) | $8.40/slide |
| Silver stains | $14.50/slide |
| Immunohistochemistry (antibody provided by user) | $10.20/slide |
| Other stains not listed above | Pricing by arrangement |
Other reagents and consumables
| Item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Reagents | |
| Dry chemicals | Pricing by arrangement |
| Ethanol | $8.50/litre |
| Formalin (10% neutral buffered formalin) | $8.00/litre |
| OCT (cryo-protective tissue freezing medium) | $47.50/bottle |
| Xylene or equivalent solvent | $9.00/litre |
| Consumables | |
| Blades for microtome | $4.95ea |
| Blades for vibratome | $1.00ea |
| Box – cardboard paraffin block filing box | $13.00ea |
| Box – 100 place plastic slide box | $20.00ea |
| Box – foam freezing box | $9.00ea |
| Cryostat roll plate | $210.00ea |
| Freezing moulds – medium size | $2.50ea |
| Freezing moulds – large size | $3.80ea |
| Slides – Superfrost plus or equivalent adhesive slides | $0.65/slide or $46.80 per pack of 72 slides |
| Slides – plain/untreated slides | $0.25/slide or $12.50 per pack of 50 slides |
All prices are in Australian dollars and are subject to change.
Download a PDF version of Melbourne Histology Platform service charges here.
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Staff
- Chris Freelance
Academic Specialist
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Chris is a zoologist who completed his degrees in the former Department of Zoology at The University of Melbourne. His research background includes the development and refinement of techniques in invertebrate histology and microscopy. Chris provides researcher consultation services, holds researcher training and engagement events and supports the strategic development of Platform capabilities.
- Laura Leone
Laboratory Coordinator
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Laura has extensive experience in diagnostic and research histology. She has worked at The University of Melbourne for over a decade where she has encountered a range of samples ranging from brains and livers to leaves, sea anemones and grasshopper eggs!
- Lisa Foster
Histology Technical Officer
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Lisa completed a Bachelor of Arts/Science with Honours in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience at The University of Melbourne. With a research background, she enjoys assisting clients with their histological techniques and integrating her knowledge and expertise into a variety of projects.
Contact us
- Address
- E214 – 216, Level 2 East, Medical Building (181)
The University of Melbourne
Parkville VIC 3010 - biomedsci-histology@unimelb.edu.au
- Phone
- +61 3 8344 5752