Histology Analysis Laboratory (HAL)
Fees for Services

Bone Tissue Engineering Center
Carnegie Mellon University

Services and Staff: The HAL is a research as well as a "fee-for-services" facility. It is full equipped to handle all phases of undemineralized bone tissue preparation. The Bone Tissue Engineering Center Director and the manager of HAL have over 30 years of combined experience in most aspects of tissue preparation, morphometry, and interpretation.

1. Undecalcified bone histology: The HAL is fully equipped for the histologic preparation of a wide range of mineralized bone specimens. We specialize in plastic embedding of undecalicified specimens, with or without metal and other implants. For thin sectioning we use an automated Leica Polycut E microtome. For ground sections we use the EEXAKT 310 Band System and EXAKT 400 Microgrinder fitted with an AW10 control. The lab also has a Leco low speed diamond saw and Leco dual wheel grinder and polisher.

2. Staining Techniqes employed on ground bone sections:

• Toluidine Blue - stains for osteoid
• Mibs
• Goldner's trichrome - identify cell types
• Von Kossa - for calcified tissue
  

BTEC's HAL is a state of the art facility for quantitative bone histomorphometry. Imaging is done on a research grade Zeiss Axiophot microscope, equipped with transmitted light, epiflouresce, and polarized light. Digital images are captured with a color Zeiss Axiocam, interfaced with the Zeiss KS 300 image analysis system for quantitative histomorphometry.
Radiographs are scanned using a black and white Zeiss digital axiocam and Tamron macrolens. Radiomorphometry is performed with the Zeiss KS 300 image analysis stystem. Image archiving is performmed on a Pentium 330 with images stored on CD.

3. Additional equipment in HAL laboratories:

• Tissue Tek VIP E300 tissue processor
• (2) six-foot OSHA approved fume hoods
• Leica Wild M3Z stereomicroscope
• Yamato RV-240 rotary microtome
• Vacuum pumps and dessicators
• Ohaus analytical balance, toploading balance, pH meter, magnetic stirrers, sonnicator, slide warmer, flotation bath, staining system
• Boekel incubator
• Yamato DX 400 drying oven
• Labconco SteamScrubber washer
• U.S. Filter PureLab Plus system (DI and ultrapure water)
• Faxitron cabinet x-ray unit

4. Contract Services: The services outlined above are available on a fee-for service basis. Please contact us so we can discuss your histology needs, time-line and budget.

5. Contact: