Staining

The Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science is pleased to offer histology services, providing you with essential visual information on protein abundance, distribution, and localization through various staining processes. Our team at the Electron Microscopy Core and Histology Services are committed to supporting your research by providing services such as processing, embedding, sectioning, staining, and imaging, all tailored to meet your specific needs.

Pilot stain:

Before proceeding with the desired samples, a pilot stain may be conducted. Once you approve the pilot results, the full run of samples will be completed.

Request staining:

To request staining of your slides, contact the histology lab to discuss your request. We will provide you with the required paperwork, pricing information, and schedule a time for you to drop-off your samples.

Stains

Alcian Blue (pH 2.5)

  • A close up of a slide with cells stained blue.

    Image: mouse small intestine 40x

  • Results

    • cytoplasm: pale pink
    • nuclei: pink/red
    • strongly acidic sulfated mucosubstances: blue

  • Specificity/tissue

    • appendix
    • colon
    • intestine

  • Cost

    $3.50/slide

Alcian Blue & Periodic Acid Schiff

    • A close up of a slide with cells dyed blue.

      Image: mouse small intestine 20x

    • Results

      • acid mucins: blue
      • mixtures: blue/purple
      • neutral mucins: magenta
      • nuclei: deep blue

    • Specificity/tissue

      • appendix
      • colon
      • intestine

    • Cost

      $5.50/slide

    Hematoxylin & Eosin

    • A close up of a slide with cells stained bright fuchsia.

      Image: mouse colon 20x

    • Results

      • acidophilic cytoplasm: red
      • basophilic cytoplasm: purple
      • collagen: pale pink
      • erythrocytes: cherry red
      • muscle: deep pink
      • nuclei: blue

    • Specificity/tissue

      • all tissues

    • Cost

      $4.00/slide

    Masson Trichrome

    • A close up of a slide with cells stained bright pink and blue.

      Image: human muscle/connective tissue 20x

    • Results

      • collagen: blue
      • cytoplasm: red
      • keratin: red
      • mucins: blue
      • muscle: red
      • nuclei: black

    • Specificity/tissue

      • all tissues

    • Cost

      $9.00/slide

    Nissl/Cresyl Violet

    • A close up of a slide with cells stained blue.

      Image: mouse brain 20x

    • Results

      • neuron (nissl body): pink/violet

       

         

      • Specificity/tissue

        • brain
        • nervous system
        • spinal cord

      • Cost

        $5.50/slide

      Nuclear Fast Red (counter stain)

      • A slide with cells stained pink and blue.

        Image: mouse stomach 20x

      • Results

        • nuclei: red

      • Specificity/tissue

        • all tissues

      • Cost

        $3.00/slide

      Oil Red O (hematoxylin counter stain)

      • A close up of a slide with cells stained various bright coloursr.

        Image: mouse liver 40x

      • Results

        • lipids: bright red
        • nuclei: pale blue

      • Specificity/tissue

        • cryosections of adipocytes
        • usually unfixed

      • Cost

        $9.00/slide

      Picrosirius Red

      • Close up of a slide with cells stained bright pink and other vibrant colours.

        Image: human prostate xenograft in mouse 20x

      • Results

        • background: yellow
        • collagen: red
        • nuclei: black, grey, brown

      • Specificity/tissue

        • collagen

      • Cost

        $9.00/slide

      Prussian Blue

      • A close up of a slide with cells stained vibrant purple/pink.

        Image: mouse spleen 40x

      • Results

        • erythrocytes: yellow
        • ferric salts: deep blue
        • nuclei: red

      • Specificity/tissue

        • blood
        • bone marrow
        • brain
        • ferric ions

      • Cost

        $4.00/slide

      Periodic Acid Schiff

      • Image of a slide with cells stained blue and purple.

        Image: mouse stomach 40x

      • Results

        • neutral mucins: magenta

      • Specificity/tissue

        • intestine (goblet, paneth cells)
        • mucous gland

      • Cost

        $5.50/slide

      Safranin O

      • A close up of a slide with cells stained bright pink.

        Image: mouse bone 40x

      • Results

        • cytoplasm, cartilage: grey green
        • mucin, mast cells, granules: orange to red
        • nuclei: black

      • Specificity/tissue

        • cartilage

      • Cost

        $6.50/slide

      Toluidine Blue

      • A close up of a slide with cells stained blue.

        Image: mouse skin 40x

      • Results

        • background: light blue
        • mast cells, granules: red/purple
        • nuclei: dark blue

      • Specificity/tissue

        • mast cells
        • nuclei

      • Cost

        $4.00/slide

      Verhoeff van Gieson

      • A close up of a slide with cells stained purple.

        Image: mouse skin 40x

      • Results

        • collagen: red
        • elastic fibers: blue/black
        • muscle and other tissue elements: yellow
        • nuclei: blue/black

      • Specificity/tissue

        • aorta
        • elastic fibers
        • kidney
        • myometrium

      • Cost

        $9.00/slide

      Contact us

      Histology Services, Imaging Facility, Electron Microscopy Platform
      Room 119, 745 Bannatyne Avenue
      Basic Medical Science Building
      University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
      Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9

      histology_services@umanitoba.ca
      204-789-3508