Frequently Asked Questions
To suggest a FAQ for the list, please email it to us -- Thank you!
TACMASS Usage Agreement
Use of data produced by the TACMASS Core (Tissue Acquisition and Cellular/Molecular Analysis Shared Service) in public presentations, grants, or publications should acknowledge the Arizona Cancer Center (NCI #2P30CA023074).
Sample Acknowledgement:
“Immunohistochemical or histological data generated by the TACMASS Core (Tissue Acquisition and Cellular/Molecular Analysis Shared Service) at the Arizona Cancer Center, supported by NIH grant CA23074….”
I am a new user of TACMASS services, what should I do to get started?
Email TACMASS to discuss your needs or to schedule an appointment to discuss your research project
What is Histology?
Click on this link»» Histology
What is IHC or Immunohistochemistry?
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) uses immunologic and histologic techniques to visualize proteins of interest in frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies as probes provides for a very sensitive and specific technique to detect protein epitopes as small as 7-10 amino acids. Immunostaining is primarily performed on paraffin-embedded tissue because it provides for excellent morphological detail and resolution, and offers valuable information on the cellular and sub-cellular distribution of proteins in tissues.
Because there is a wide range of specimen source, antigen availability, antigen-antibody affinity, antibody type, and detection enhancement methods available, optimal conditions for each antibody probe must be determined. Criteria for optimal “validation” of each primary antibody probe include: method for antigen retrieval or unmasking, dilution, reaction conditions, and detection techniques which gives the strongest specific antigen staining with the lowest non-specific background.
TACMASS offers reliable, reproducible, and high quality immunohistochemical staining using an automated staining platform (VMSI Discovery XT Automated Immunostainer, Ventana Medical Systems. Inc., Tucson, AZ). Ongoing research collaboration with VMSI offers UA/AZCC investigators the latest developments and reagents for IHC, in situ hybridization, quantum dot localization and multiplexing techniques.
For additional routine histology services, such as special stains, vibratome sectioning and handling tritium labeled specimens (3H)... ...
Please contact the ARL & CBA Histology Service Lab (Arizona Research Labs and Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy).
You may also contact:
The Director, Mr. Doug Cromey, M.S., 626-2824, LSN 429 (CBA)
or
Ms. Andrea Grantham, HT(ASCP), Senior Histologist 626-4415, AHSC Room 4212
What are Mouse tissues used for?
TACMASS works closely with the Experimental Mouse Shared Service (EMSS) to accept and process mouse tissues, tumors, Xenograft and cultured cells.
What is the Validated Antibodies List?
80 plus primary primary antibodies validated on frozen tissue using light microscopic detection of single antibodies and co-localization of dual antibodies with confocal fluorescent microscopy.
What is "Xenograft mean"?
The cells of one animal that have been transplanted into the body of another.
Contact Us to discuss your questions or to schedule an initial (free) consult
Thank
you for your interest in the TACMASS Service! |
