Pathology & Imaging Core Facility Services
Pathology & Imaging Core
- SF VA Medical Center
- 4150 Clement Street
- Building 12
- San Francisco, CA 94121
- Campus map
Price List
- The price list for Core services can be downloaded here.
For Consultation
Core Director
-
James P. Grenert, MD, PhD
- james.grenert@ucsf.edu
- Phone: (415) 206-6576
- Fax: (415) 206-5988
For Histology and TEM Services
Staff Research Associate
- Sandra Huling, M.S.
- sandra.huling@ucsf.edu
- Phone: (415) 221-4810 x 3448
For Imaging Services
Technical Director
- Conrad Alano, PhD
- conrad.alano@ucsf.edu
- Phone: (415) 221-4810 x 6473
For Histology Interpretation
Core Pathologist
- Sanjay Kakar, MD
- sanjay.kakar@ucsf.edu
- Phone: (415) 221-4810 x 2619
Histology
Tissue processing and histochemistry
The Core processes, sections and stains liver tissue to user specifications. In addition to routine H&E staining, special stains are available, including trichrome, iron and Oil red O, among others. Core staff can provide information on the entire range of available histochemical stains.
Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence
The Core performs immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence on paraffin or frozen sections of liver tissue. All antibodies are provided by the user. If staining protocols are not already established, they can be requested from the Core as an additional service.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Core staff process and stain tissue samples for standard electron microscopy as well as immunoelectron microscopy. Staff will also view and photograph specimens for users who are unfamiliar with the operation of the electron microscope. Center members who are trained in the use of the electron microscope can arrange to use the instrument independently.
Imaging
Confocal microscopy
The Core operates a Leica TCS SP confocal microscope equipped with three lasers, digital image acquisition and analysis software for precise subcellular localization of fluorescently labeled proteins and other molecules. Center members can receive training on this instrument and arrange for independent use once training is complete.
Stereology
The Core operates a MicroBrightField computer-controlled stereology instrument to quantitate volume of organelles, cells, groups of cells, and any other entity identifiable under the light microscope. Training and technical support are available as well as independent use for trained investigators.
Live cell imaging
The Core operates the Zeiss Axiovert 200M, a fully motorized inverted microscope with xenon and mercury epifluorescence illumination, Warner temperature controlled stage and CCD camera. The microscope is equipped with mercury and xenon lamps for fluorescence imaging as well as differential interference contrast (DIC) for brightfield imaging, and is capable of recording fluorescent and DIC images simultaneously under computer-controlled time-lapse conditions.
Histology interpretation
A new Core service is expert histology interpretation, offered by Dr. Sanjay Kakar, faculty pathologist and Liver Center member. Dr. Kakar is available upon request to review and interpret individual slides on an ad hoc basis or to arrange formal interpretation and scoring of slide sets for larger research projects. For more information on this new service contact Dr. Kakar.