Histology Facility

The Histology Facility provides scientific and technical assistance, both for NOVA Medical School and for external users, by offering a range of services, instruments, and user training.
Our main contribution is in the planning and optimization of specific histological approaches for each scientific project to obtain high-quality results both in fundamental and clinical research. Specifically, this service helps researchers plan the best histological approach for their projects; processes, cuts, and stains animal and human samples; performs and optimizes immunohistochemistry protocols; training of new users in the use of available equipment; and provides theoretical/practical knowledge and images obtained by associated pathologists for presentation in scientific publications.

EQUIPMENTS

  • HM200 Microtome
  • CM3050 S Cryostat
  • UT200L Paraffin Embedding Unit
  • PF200L Cooling Plate
  • Tissue Processor
  • AutostainerLink48
  • Optical Cold plate Bio PF 200;

SERVICES

  • Paraffin processing and sectioning
  • Frozen embedding and sectioning
  • Hematoxylin-eosin stain
  • Some special staining like Ziehl Neelsen, Luna, Masson trichrome, oil red, and Fontana Masson staining
  • Support in immunohistochemistry optimization both for researchers
  • User training
  • Experimental design planning
  • Cytological shorr staining

At the Histology Facility we also provide Advanced Histo-Morphological Characterization and Tissue Biomarker Analysis. We provide comprehensive tissue processing services—including fixation, paraffin embedding or cryopreservation, sectioning, routine (H&E) and special histological staining, as well as immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence—for the detection and localization of protein biomarkers in animal model tissues and human samples. The analysis includes quantification of lesion areas, cell density, and biomarker expression in specific tissue contexts.

The innovation lies in the integration of digital histological image quantification and spatial biomarker analysis. Using advanced image analysis software, we can precisely quantify morphological changes and biomarker expression, providing objective and reproducible data for validation. Moreover, the ability to correlate tissue-based biomarkers with those identified by other facilities, such as gene expression from molecular biology, serum proteins from the CHAIN Biobank, or cell populations from flow cytometry, offers a critical level of insight into disease mechanisms triggered by environmental factors and associated immune responses.

A new user must register in https://fcm.agendoscience.com/, fill in the request available in the histology section to schedule a training session. Prices are available on each product order or on the intranet.

In the case of self-use, it is mandatory to previously have a training session with the Histology Technician, who will be available during NOVA Medical School normal working days and hours.

All users of the Histology services must thank it in any type of scientific publication, provided that the results presented have been obtained with our equipment, services or scientific help by the staff. In publications in which there is a significant contribution of histology, either in the experimental design or analysis of the results of the project in question, co-authorship in the publication must be considered. Users must send the publication to the histology service. You can use the following sentence: We thank the Histology Service of NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa for its help in this work (you can mention the type of help).

CTLS - Core Technologies for Life Sciences