Equipment
Sakura Tissue-Tek VIP Tissue Processor
The Sakura Tissue TEK VIP is an automated tissue processor that prepares biological specimens for microscopic analysis by passing them through fixation, dehydration, clearing and paraffin infiltration stages. The instrument uses vacuum and pressure cycles to optimize reagent penetration into tissue samples. VIP can be configured to handle up to 150 or 300 tissue cassettes.
Biological specimens prepared using the VIP instrument are intended for preparing FFPE (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) blocks.
Leica ASP300S Tissue Processor
The Leica ASP300S is a freestanding, fully enclosed vacuum tissue processor designed to automate the fixation, dehydration, and paraffin infiltration of tissue specimens (up to 300 cassettes).
Biological specimens prepared using the Leica ASP300S instrument are intended for preparing FFPE (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) blocks.
Leica EG1160 Embedding Station
The Leica EG1160 Embedding Station is used for specimen orientation and creation of paraffin tissue blocks (FFPE) for thin-section microtomy (typically 1-5 micrometers.
Microm HM325 Microtome
Available for self-service rental.
Go to NUCORE to schedule FFPE microtomy training or reserve the Microm HM325.
The Microm HM325 is a manual microtome intended for sectioning of FFPE blocks.
Microm HM355S Microtome
The Microm HM355S is a motorized rotary microtome for precise sectioning of FFPE blocks.
Microm HM355 S2 Microtome
The Microm HM355S2 is a motorized rotary microtome for precise sectioning of FFPE blocks.
Epredia Section Transfer Systems
The Epredia Section Transfer System (STS) is a specialized, semi-automated accessory for rotary microtomes that automates the transfer of paraffin tissue sections from the blade to a heated water bath, reducing manual handling and increasing productivity. It uses a water-flow bridge to move sections directly from the blade holder, allowing for efficient stretching and pick-up of delicate tissue samples.
The 2 Epredia STS units at MHPL were acquired through the Spring 2026 ReLODE program administered by the Office for Research Core Facilities Administration (OR/CFA).
Dakewe CT520 Research Cryostat
Available for self-service rental.
Go to NUCORE to schedule training or reserve the cryostat.
Download the Dakewe CT520 Cryostat User Manual.
Download the MHPL Cryostat Guidelines.
The Dakewe CT520 is a high-performance, semi-motorized cryostat designed for rapid freezing and precise sectioning of frozen biological specimens. It features dual compressors with a freezing shelf that can reach temperatures as low as -42 degrees Celsius (specimen head down to -50 degrees Celsius). It features a 12-inch colour touch screen, a lightweight handwheel, and specimen head position memory. It includes a UV lamp for chamber disinfection. It has a holding/freezing station for up to 20 specimens.
Leica VT1200S Vibratome
Available for self-service rental.
Go to NUCORE to schedule training or reserve the vibratome.
Download the Leica VT1200S User Manual.
Download the MHPL Vibratome Guidelines.
The Leica VT1200S Vibratome is a fully automated, high precision vibrating blade microtome designed for sectioning of fixed or unfixed tissue primarily for generating thick sections up to 1,000 micrometers.
The Leica VT1200S Vibratome was acquired through the Spring 2022 Equipment Grant from the Office for Research Core Facilities Administration (OR/CFA).
Leica Autostainer XL
The Leica Autostainer XL is used by the MHPL as a dedicated robotics H&E stainer and dewaxing instrument.
Epredia Gemini AS Autostainer
The Gemini AS Autostainer is a robotic stainer used by the MHPL to automate most frequently requested advanced histology stains such as Gomori's Trichrome (GTC), Masson's Trichrome (MTC), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), and Picrosirius Red (PSR). The stainer is capable of automating additional histology stains as needed.
The Gemini AS Autostainer was acquired through the Fall 2025 Equipment Grant from the Office for Research Core Facilities Administration (OR/CFA).
Biocare IntelliPATH Autostainer
The IntelliPATH system is an automated immunohistochemistry system capable of staining up to 50 slides.
Biocare ONCORE PRO X Slide Staining System
The Biocare ONCORE PRO X is an automated staining platform that can perform multiplex immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and nucleic acid nucleic acid in situ hybridization. The ONCORE Pro X has a capacity to stain 36 slides independently.
Lunaphore COMET
The Lunaphore COMET™ is a rapid and fully automated spatial biology platform that integrates both microfluidics-assisted tissue staining and imaging to achieve hyperplexed detection of protein and/or RNA targets. Utilizing sequential immunofluorescence (seqIF) technology, protein detection relies on off-the-shelf unconjugated primary antibodies and fluorophore-labeled secondary antibodies. The platform supports RNAscope HiPlex Pro assay for detection of up to 12 RNA targets on the same tissue section.
The Lunaphore COMET™ was acquired through the Fall 2025 ReLODE Program of the Office for Research Core Facilities Administration (OR/CFA).
Tissue Tek SCA4764 Film Coverslipper
The Tissue-Tek SCA4764 is a high-speed automated instrument used to apply resin-coated, adhesive-backed plastic film over stained tissue specimens on glass slides. It enables high-throughput, dry-coverslipping rates up to 1,200 slides per hour, eliminating the need for liquid mounting medium and traditional glass coverslips.
Morpholens240 Slide Scanner
Morpholens240 Slide Scanner for whole-slide imaging of histology and chromogenic IHC slides. The high throughput scanner is capable of continuous batchwise scanning of up to 240 slides at 20x and 40x magnifications.
Keyence BZ-X810 Fluorescence Microscope
The Keyence BZ-X810 is an all-in-one, automated inverted fluorescence microscope for high-resolution imaging including brightfield, phase contrast and color imaging. The BZ-X810 is primarily used by the core for quality control in its multiplex fluorescence services. The microscope is equipped to image DAPI/Hoechst 33258, FITC/CY2/AlexaFluor488, CY3/AlexaFluor555, CY5/AlexaFluor647. and CY5/AlexaFluor750 fluorophores.
The Keyence BZ-X810 was acquired through the Fall 2024 Equipment Grant administered by the Office for Research Core Facilities Administration (OR/CFA).
Olympus BX41 Microscope
The Olympus BX41 is a brightfield and epifluorescence microscope equipped with a Xylis II Light Source and 5 fluorescent filter channels (DAPI, FITC. CY3, CY5 and CY7).
Logos X-CLARITY Tissue Clearing System
Available for self-service rental.
Logos X-CLARITY is an automated electrophoretic tissue clearing system that removes lipids making tissues optically transparent.
The Logos X-CLARITY System was acquired through the 2019 Fall Equipment Grant from the Office for Research Core Facilities Administration (OR/CFA).
LifeCanvas SmartBatch+ System
COMING SOON!
The LifeCanvas SmartBatch+ System is an automated, high-throughput system that combines active tissue clearing and immunolabeling into one turn-key device, allowing for rapid 3D imaging preparation of up to 12 whole mouse brains. It uses eFLASH technology to uniformly stain tissues while maintaining structural integrity, often in combination with SHIELD tissue preservation to protect fluorescent signals.
The acquisition of the SmartBatch+ System was made possible by the Spring 2026 Equipment Grant from the Office for Research Core Facilities Administration (OR/CFA).
Leica MZ9.5 Stereomicroscope
The Leica MZ95 stereomicroscope features an advantageous 9.5:1 zoom ratio (0.63x to 6x magnification range), high resolution, and an excellent image contrast. It is ideal for dissection and wide-field inspection of specimens.
PrintMate AS Cassette Printer
The PrintMate AS Cassette Printer is a compact, on-demand thermal transfer printer used to print texts directly on tissue cassettes. It eliminates manual handwriting and increasing efficiency during tissue grossing and microtomy.
Primera Signature Slide Printers
The Primera Signature Slide Printer is a compact thermal transfer printer designed to print labels directly on microscope slides. It eliminates handwriting or adhesive labels on slides.
The Primera Signature Slide Printer was acquired through the Spring 2013 Equipment Grant from the Office for Research Core Facilities Administration (OR/CFA).
