Gladstone Institutes Histology and Light Microscopy Core
Request Histology services through ilabs
To Request an ilab account:
Please see more information on our website: http://labs.gladstone.ucsf.edu/histology/pages/getting-started-3
Or use the following link: https://gladstone.corefacilities.org/account/signup/34?sc_id=2929
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Once you have an account – log in and navigate to the histology core: https://my.ilabsolutions.com/service_center/show/2929/?tab=about
Select the ‘Request Services’ tab
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Initiate a histology services request for any paraffin or cryo sectioning as well as special stains
A form will open; use the radio buttons to select the type of project you require:
Paraffin block processing, embedding, sectioning and / or staining
Cryotissue processing, sectioning and / or staining
Both paraffin and frozen processing
Special sectioning for samples requiring levels or serials (anything different from the standard 2 serial sections per slide)
Hard / Calcified tissue analysis using the Kawamoto sectioning technique
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For the purpose of this guide we shall select the ‘Paraffin and Frozen block’ example
When you select the ‘Paraffin and Frozen Block’ radio button a table appears
Use the table like an excel file to copy and paste your data. You can also download the template in excel format and then reupload.
The columns with black headers are for information only and you can write text in here. The green columns are for numbers of blocks or slides and are used to calculate your request cost.
Only numbers can be entered in these columns.
Decalcification - place a 1 in this column if your sample in that row requires decal prior to processing
Grossing wet tissue - place a 1 in this column if the sample in that row requires cassetting
Tissue processing and embedding - Place a 1 in this column if your sample in that row requires processing and embedding with no HE and possibly other unstained or special stains
Tissue processing plus 1 H&E slide - Enter a 1 in this column if the sample in that row requires processing, embedding and a single HE (you can also select other columns for unstained slides, additional HE and special stains)
H&E each additional slides - Enter the number of H&E slides (2 sections per slide) you want in this column Unstained slides - Enter the number of slides required (2 sections per slide)
Additional sections - enter the number of sections above the standard 2 that is required on this sample
Special stains - Enter the total number of slides of each special stain that you require
Other special stains - contact the core if the special stain you want is not in this list
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Sucrose infiltration steps - Enter a 1 in this column if you want the core to perform sucrose infiltration to help prevent ice-crystal damage from forming in the tissue, which can be viewed as holes in the resulting sections
Freeze block - Enter a 1 in this column if you want your tissue to be frozen in OCT using a plastic
'peel away mold'
H&E slide - Enter the number of additional H&E slides (2 sections per slide) you want in this column
Unstained slides - Enter the number of slides required (2 sections per slide)
Additional sections - enter the number of sections above the standard 2 that is required on this sample
Special stains - enter the total number of slides of each special stain that you require
Other special stains - contact the core if the special stain you want is not in this list
IMPORTANT!!!
When you are done entering all your sample information click on ‘process grid charges’, this will then total your request
The charges should then appear at the bottom of the form:
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Next there is also a place to add ‘Additional Notes’, and an upload button to include any additional diagrams or relevant information, the more information you provide here the easier the cores job and the more likely you will get what you want!
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The next section asks if you want your slides imaged, if you select yes you will be prompted for more information:
The remaining questions gain valuable information regarding your samples, these data will be stored by the core indefinitely, which may be useful to troubleshoot any techniques later in the process
Some radio buttons expand to ask for more information and / or give information on your choice. All fields with red asterisks are ‘required fields’
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The next question in the form: ‘do you need a slide box’ will add a slide box to your order, please estimate the total number of slides your request will produce and add the amount of slide boxes needed. Enter the number and then click ‘add selected services’ to add the slide box to your order. You are also welcome to bring your own.
Cost and payment
You will receive a projected cost, pending the core reviewing your request. Core staff may contact you for clarification.
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Payment information
If you are a Gladstone employee please choose the index code from the grant for which these data are being collected, or your lab fund if none are relevant.
If you are external to the Gladstone you will be asked for a PO. Your request can be saved, but not submitted, to the core without a PO. Once the core has reviewed your request and finalized the quote please ask your purchasing for a PO for that amount.
Then submit your request for core review, and bring your samples to the core:
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