The Histology Service Unit (HSU) provides routine histology services, including tissue processing and embedding, sectioning Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) and frozen blocks, slide preparation & staining.

Services provided by the unit:

• Automatic tissue processing
• Embedding tissues in Paraffin, OCT or Steedman’s wax 
• Sectioning
• Staining sections with routine and special stains:

H&E (Hematoxylin and Eosin) Hematoxylin dyes the nucleus, while Eosin dyes the cytoplasm. This is a general staining method for examining all types of tissue morphology.
Masson Trichrome Frequently used to differentiate between collagen and smooth muscle in tumors and to identify increases in collagenous tissue in diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver.  Its combination with Verhoeff-Van Gieson stain is useful for examining blood vessels.
Picro-Sirius Red A simple, sensitive, and specific method for collagen staining that is commonly used to identify fibrillar collagen networks in tissue sections. This technique relies on the birefringent properties of collagen molecules. It is also used to stain amyloid.
Verhoeff-Van Gieson  Demonstrating normal elastic tissue and identifying tumor invasion of elastic tissue.
Nissl Cresyl Violet A stain used for the identification of neurons in tissue sections or demonstration of the loss of Nissl substance (chromatolysis).
Oil Red O A stain used to demonstrate neutral lipids in frozen tissue sections and cultured cells. Paraffin sections cannot be used because dehydrating and clearing agents dissolve the fat.
Giemsa  Stains the nuclei dark blue and the cytoplasm blue to pink, according to the acidity of the cytoplasmic contents. It is used to stain chromosomes, blood cell-producing tissues, and certain species of spirochetes and protozoans.
Calcofluor White Stain (cellufluor) A fluorescent stain that binds to cellulose and chitin in cell walls and is used for the rapid detection of yeasts, fungi, and parasitic organisms.
Safranin O A stain used to stain the cell wall lignin. Can also identify cartilage, mucin, and must cells within PFFE and frozen sections. 
Phloroglucinol-HCl A method used for the staining of the xylem of the plant tissue.

• In Situ Hybridization- RNA FISH and HCR™ RNA FISH
• Immunohistochemistry-chromogenic and fluorescent immunohistochemical (IHC) staining

If necessary, project-specific applications (special staining, immunohistochemistry, etc.) can be developed, please contact us for further information.

The services are available to all University departments, as well as to external (academic and industry) researchers.

 In case of any questions please call or email Sharon Tal, Tel. No.: 04- 6647962 or 57162 for internal users.