Core Facility

Preclinical and Translational Pathology

Dr. Thomas Metzler

Head

The Preclinical and Translational Pathology Core Facility (PTPathoCF) provides a platform for services covering the entire histological workflow – from sample preparation and a wide range of staining methods to slide digitization. Systems and services can be booked via an online platform. In addition, we offer individual project consultation, support with pathological evaluation, and the establishment of new methods.

Services

Our portfolio covers the entire histological workflow for both FFPE and Cryo tissue and is structured into Full Service and Assisted Service. With Full Service, our specialized staff handle your samples using standardized protocols to ensure reliable and reproducible results. The Assisted Service provides 24/7 access to instruments, enabling experienced users to process samples independently after succesful training, with guidance available whenever needed.

To support experimental planning, we offer personalized Project Consultation, ideally prior to the start of the experiment. In addition, we provide Assistance with Pathological Evaluation combining computer-assisted image analysis and traditional pathological read-outs to ensure comprehensive and meaningful interpretation of results.

We are continously optimizing and adapting our protocols to meet the needs of researchers at DKFZ. Please get in contact with us if you have exciting new ideas. We are happy to support the establishment of innovative methods and techniques.

Services - Information

Our Full Service includes:

Dehydration and Embedding of formalin-fixed tissue
Sectioning of FFPE and Cryo tissue
Histochemical stainings (e.g. HE and Sirius Red)
Immunohistochemical stainings (IHC)
Immunofluorescent stainings (IF) up to 3-plex
In-situ hybridization (RNAscope)
Brightfield whole slide digitization (currently being established)

For a current list of available antibodies and probes, please get in touch. We are also glad to test any new antibodies or probes provided by you.

Stainings will be performed either on automated high-throughput staining machines or hands-on according to the specific requirements of the project.

Services - Workflow

1) Schedule an appointment with us to discuss your project.

2) Create an account for our booking system if you don't already have one (accounts created via the LMCF do also work with us).

3) Create a project in our booking system according to what was discussed in the project consultation.

4) Order services via our booking system.

Feel free to contact us at every step of your project to discuss upcoming questions about our services, technical possibilities, and assistance with histopathological evaluation.