Research Histology Services

Sectioning Services

What is sectioning? Sectioning is the dividing of an embedded specimen into thin slivers that can be further examined using special staining techniques.

What does the customer provide? For all sectioning services, the customer must provide frozen OCT blocks or paraffin blocks in molds. Please see our Sample Preparation Services if you do not have samples aleady embedded in blocks.

What does RHS provide? RHS will provide sections to the customers specifications on glass slides. Sections are cut at a standard 4 microns unless otherwise specified. All slides with paraffin sections will be baked for one hour after sectioning to remove excess paraffin. If you do not wish to have your slides backed, please specify on the order form. Slides with frozen sections are immediately stored at -80 degrees C.

Why are their multiple charges? RHS charges a per block fee to account for equipment maintenance, microtome blades, preparation of the block for sectioning (effacing), and printing of slides required for the job. RHS then charges additional fees depending on the specific requests of the job. The cost of glass slides and some effort for the lab members time are incorporated into each cost as well as

Sectioning Paraffin Blocks

 

Block charge for small blocks (<5 mm deep and/or <30 mm long)

 

Block charge for small blocks (>5 mm deep and/or >30 mm long)

 

Glass slides with a single section

 

Additional section (more than one section) on same slide

 

Serial sectioning for >30 sections, Sectioning into a region of interest, Levelling (meaning anything other than consectutive or serial sections, for example 40 microns between sections), of placement of sections from more than one block on the same slide may incur additional charges for extra slides and/or time spent on task. Customers are encouraged to provide pictures or diagrams of desired cut.

 

Sectioning Frozen Blocks

 

Block charge for small blocks (<5 mm deep and/or <30 mm long)

 

Block charge for small blocks (>5 mm deep and/or >30 mm long)

 

Glass slides with a single section

 

Additional section (more than one section) on same slide

 

Serial sectioning for >30 sections, Sectioning into a region of interest, Levelling (meaning anything other than consectutive or serial sections, for example 40 microns between sections), of placement of sections from more than one block on the same slide may incur additional charges for extra slides and/or time spent on task. Customers are encouraged to provide pictures or diagrams of desired cut.