Overview of Services

The Histopathology Shared Resource (HSR) is a core facility at Oregon Health and Sciences University that provides both routine and customized histology and immunohistochemistry services at an affordable price while maintaining the highest standards of service. 

PLEASE READ:

With any level of Modified Operations, the Histopathology Shared Resource (HSR) continues to offer help and support for all histology and immunohistochemistry needs for researchers. With this in mind, all new and returning clients should read the following:

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSIONS:

1. An iLab request form must be submitted before the Core can begin any work.

2. Appointment scheduling for incoming and outgoing specimen(s) is required.

• With work flexibility in place, staff shifts may vary daily. Please coordinate with staff members to set up an appointment or contact our core at 503-494-9631.
• The Robertson Life and Sciences Building (RLSB) is accessible with badge readers only. Any researcher with an OHSU badge should be able to access the building using 1 of 2 badge readers (one on the S Moody side and the other located on the river side). Once in the RLSB atrium, researchers can locate the North elevators and take one to the 6th floor to utilize the red "Drop-off/Pick-up" bin located outside the 6th floor elevators next to the Research Laboratories door.
• If a researcher is using the red bin, there are some additional requirements:
• Container holding newly submitted samples must be labeled with the researcher's name and the associated HSR Service ID # that can be obtained after an iLab request form submission.
• Samples must be left at an ambient temperature (i.e. no antibodies or OCTs can be left in the red bin).
• Researchers must send an email to an HSR staff member for drop-off/pick-up confirmation.
• Researchers must sign and date the form that is attached to their completed materials for sample pick-up.
• HSR does not utilize the "Accept/Reject" feature in iLab for requests. Researchers are responsible for contacting the Core to discuss projects and/or schedule an appointment.
• HSR will review requests upon receipt of all of the materials needed. HSR will contact the researcher if there are any questions or concerns.

3. If materials are needed for a grant or paper deadline, please coordinate with the Core staff members before sample submission. HSR will review the request and determine if the deadline is within HSR's current bandwidth.

4. If specimens require extensive or special sectioning and/or orientation, please coordinate with the Core staff members before sample submission. HSR will review the request and determine if the special instructions are feasible.

• Please note that special/complex and/or non-standard requests may incur additional charges and increase turnaround time.

For FFPE Specimen Processing:

1. Researchers are responsible for fixing their samples, as HSR does not handle any fixatives.

• HSR recommends immediately fixing FFPE specimens for 16-24 hours in 10% neutral buffered formalin before rinsing well with water and then transferring to 70% Ethanol.

2. HSR will only accept samples that are delivered in 70% Ethanol. Please make sure that there is an appropriate volume of 70% Ethanol to keep the tissue fully submerged to prevent tissues from drying out while waiting for processing.

3. HSR recommends using a pencil or a solvent resistant pen (ethanol and xylene resistant) when labeling cassettes.

• HSR can provide a variety of cassettes (micro to macro) if the researcher doesn't have access to any.

4. HSR will not trim or gross large tissue, as the researcher is more acquainted with their region of interest. HSR has a validated processing protocol that is not well suited for large specimens due to inadequate tissue penetration during processing.

5. The turnaround time for FFPE specimens is 7 to 10 business days.

For OCT Specimen Processing:

1. HSR will accept frozen samples delivered on dry ice or fresh tissue delivered in PBS/Sucrose.

2. The turnaround time for OCTs is generally 14 business days.

3. HSR does not keep or provide dry ice. The researcher must provide their own dry ice for sample drop-off and pick-up, if applicable.

For IHC and/or Special Stain Requests:

1. Researchers must contact and discuss their project with the Immunohistochemistry and Special Stains Contact (listed below) before any work can be performed. Especially for antibodies that have not been optimized by the Core (list of optimized antibodies is posted on the HSR website).

2. The researcher must provide the antibody/antibodies, as HSR does not keep antibodies in stock.

3. The turnaround time for IHC is generally 14 business days.

• If the request requires the work-up of an antibody, this may cause delays in turnaround time.

4. For antibodies that are new to HSR, researchers are required to review the optimization slides and select which dilution they prefer, as the researchers are more familiar with the antibody.

5. HSR does not perform IF staining, multiplexing, or imaging at this time.

Please visit the Request Services page for more information. 

Our staff is also available for discussions, data analysis, manuscript preparation, etc. Please contact our core at hsr@ohsu.edu for more information. 

Thank you.

Leadership

George Thomas        Director of the Histopathology Shared Resource

Kate Rice                Laboratory Manager and Core Scientist of the Histopathology Shared Resource / Immunohistochemistry and Special Stains Contact

Chad Judy               Assistant Core Scientist 2

Alyssa Valles           Assistant Core Scientist 1

Joscelyn Zarceno     Assistant Core Scientist 2

Location and hours of operation

Links and Resources

Website: www.ohsu.edu/hsr

Department Email: hsr@ohsu.edu

Phone Number: 503-494-9631

Contacts

Map