Human Tissue Acquisition and Pathology Core

The Human Tissue Acquisition and Pathology Shared Resource (VICC) provides access to human tissue samples, histology services, and specialized equipment to investigators for the purpose of research. Human tissues are collected prospectively from routine surgical resections and autopsies for use by investigators in basic, translational and clinical research studies. Only remnant tissue samples not needed for diagnostic purposes are collected. These tissues are available fresh, snap frozen, or in a variety of fixatives as requested by the investigator. Normal, neoplastic, and other diseased tissues are available for study. Additional clinical information can be obtained without compromising patient confidentiality. The resource also provides tissue collection and storage services for several research groups. All of the tissue samples are organized and distributed utilizing relational databases designed by the Tissue Clinical Informatics Shared Resource.

Our full service research histology laboratory offers paraffin embedding, sectioning, automated Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, frozen sectioning and a large selection of special stains. The laboratory also offers specialized processing and sectioning services including cell block preparations, RNase free sectioning, special processing for lacZ stained samples, and tissue microarray sectioning. The lab is continually developing new protocols to meet the special needs of requesting investigators. The facility also offers access to a Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) system, tissue microarray equipment for making microarray blocks, and a Bacus Laboratory slide scanner (BLISS system).

Contact: Anthony Frazier—Lab Manager
Phone: Lab 615-343-9087, Administration 615-936-1618
Email: htalab@vanderbilt.edu
Website: vicc.org/research/shared/human/