Histocore - our offer
The Histological Core Facility (Histocore) is located in Biomedicum, offering advanced expertise and instrumentation for histology, immunohistochemistry, and RNA in situ detection. We routinely perform cryo- and paraffin sectioning of tissues from animal, human, and organoid sources. Our staff can assist in conceptualization, experimental planning, and optimization of histological and immunohistochemical workflows tailored to each research project.
We work closely with researchers to develop new staining and labelling strategies based on their specific needs. Our mission is to combine classical histological approaches with state-of-the-art technologies, including spatial biology workflows, multiplexed assays, and RNA in situ hybridization.
Main services
- Introduction and training for self-use of microtomes, cryostats, vibratome, and paraffin embedding station
- Consultation on tissue handling, tissue fixation, assay development, and troubleshooting
- Tissue dehydration with standard and custom programs (staff only)
- Embedding of tissues and organoids, including Histogel embedding of cell pellets and small samples
- Cryosectioning and paraffin sectioning for all tissue types, including customized sectioning for all spatial platforms
- Histological staining, including:
- Routine stains: H&E, PAS, Alcian Blue, Oil Red O
- Connective tissue stains: Masson's Trichrome, Sirius Red, Van Gieson
- Custom staining on request
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Immunofluorescence (IF), including:
- Multiplex IHC and IF with Tyramide Signal Amplification (TSA)
- Cyclic multiplex IF with iterative rounds of staining
- Multiplex chromogenic IHC for multi-target brightfield detection
- RNAscope and RNA in situ hybridization using Hybridization Chain Reaction (HCR)
- Pre-analytical workflows for spatial transcriptomics, including:
- Antibody validation
- Region of interest (ROI) mapping
- Custom dehydration protocols for RNA/protein preservation
- Sectioning for platforms including 10x Genomics Xenium, MACSima, GeoMx DSP, and PhenoCycler
- Antibody and tissue inventory, including:
- Validated primary and secondary antibodies
- Control tissues and slides for assay validation
- Ready-to-use aliquots of secondary antibodies and fluorescent mounting media
Consultations
- All researchers can contact us for consultancy on:
- Experimental design and planning
- Protocol establishment and optimization
- Project-relevant tissue processing (e.g., cryopreservation, fixation, dehydration, and tissue clearing)
- Troubleshooting for histological staining, immunostaining, and RNA in situ hybridization assays
- Sectioning protocols for standard and spatial assays
- Antibody panel design and validation for multiplexed workflows
Trainings
We provide:
- 1,5-hour training for self-use of cryostats, microtomes and paraffin embedding station
- Vibratome training from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on users' needs.
Please request training through iLab. Sessions are usually scheduled within 1–2 weeks after submission.
Note: Tissue dehydration is staff-operated only. No user training is offered for this step.
Available instruments
- Cryostats (CryoStar NX70 ×2)
- Cryostats (LEICA CM3050S)
- Microtomes (HM 355S & HM 360)
- Vibratome (Leica VT100ST ×2)
- Paraffin embedding station – Cryo Console EC500-1
- Dehydration machine – Epredia Excelsior AS tissue processor
- Shandon™ Sequenza™ Immunostaining Center Slide Rack
- RNAscope HybEZ oven
- Pressure cooker for antigen retrieval
- Chemical hoods for procedures utilizing hazardous chemicals equiped with slide staining rack system
- Light microscope- brightfield with color camera
- Dissection microscope
- Hot plates for slide drying
- 3D printer
Rates (2024/2025)
Training Cryo & paraffin
| User category | Fee (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Internal (KI) | 1,500 |
| External academia | 2,000 |
| Corporate | 2,500 |
Frozen sections
| User category | Fee (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Internal (KI) | 60 |
| External academia | 75 |
| Corporate | 95 |
Price per slide with two serial sections. If specific demand for tissue orientation/slide composition is calculated per hour of service. For fewer than 30 sections, the price is calculated per hour.
Paraffin sections
| User category | Fee (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Internal (KI) | 45 |
| External academia | 60 |
| Corporate | 75 |
Price per slide with two serial sections. Same terms as above.
Dehydration
| User category | Fee (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Internal (KI) | 34 |
| External academia | 46 |
| Corporate | 58 |
Standard programmes run on Wednesdays. Charged per sample.
Hourly services
| User category | Fee (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Internal (KI) | 1,200 |
| External academia | 1,500 |
| Corporate | 1,900 |
Hourly services includes consultations, embedding, staining, imaging, sample preparation, RNAscope, and custom spatial transcriptomics support.
iLab
All sevices and equipment bookings are managed through iLab.
For KI users
Log in with your KI credentials, search for Histological Core Facility – Biomedicum, and choose “Request Services”.
External use of the core facility
Histocore can services without a commissioned/contract research or collaborative research agreement, in accordance with the Swedish governmental ordinance (2022:1378) on fees for research infrastructure.
Find out more about external use of KI's core facilities
Please note that external users will need to create an iLab account to be able to send requests or book equipment.