Sutton Pathology Facility

The Pathology Facility at ICR provides comprehensive, high-quality tissue processing and analysis services to support research within ICR. The facility is fully equipped to handle both human and mouse samples, delivering standardised, reproducible results using modern, automated workflows and expert technical support.

The facility is open to both internal researchers and external academic or industry users.

Two scientists working in a lab

Image credit: ICR

Core services

Formalin-fixed tissues are processed and embedded in paraffin using automated tissue processing systems, ensuring consistent dehydration, clearing, and infiltration for optimal downstream analysis.

Precision sectioning of paraffin-embedded tissues is performed to produce high-quality sections at defined thicknesses suitable for routine histology, special stains, and advanced applications.

Calcified tissues such as bone are carefully decalcified using controlled protocols that preserve tissue morphology and antigenicity for subsequent sectioning and staining.

Routine Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining is carried out using fully automated staining platforms, followed by coverslipping to produce consistent, high-quality slides for histopathological evaluation.

Specialised PSR staining is offered for collagen visualization and fibrosis assessment, compatible with both brightfield and polarized light microscopy.

Paraffin curls and unstained slides are prepared under controlled conditions to support downstream molecular applications, including DNA and RNA extraction.

Customised tissue orientation, sectioning, multiple tissue placement and slide preparation are available to meet the requirements of emerging spatial biology and spatial transcriptomics technologies. We currently support Akoya Biosciences PhenoCycler, Nanostring/Bruker CosMx and 10x Genomics Visium.

Equipment

  • Leica Microtomes
  • Leica Histocore Pearl Tissue Processor
  • Leica Histoscore CHROMAX Automated Slide Staining & Coverslipping Workstation

Team

Dr Shichina Kannambath, Head of the Facility

Mr Oscar Williamson, Higher Scientific Officer 

Mr Otis Agbaimoni, Higher Scientific Officer 

Location

Lab: 0E11, Brookes Lawley Building
Office: 0E17, Brookes Lawley Building

32 Oakleaf Avenue, 
Sutton, SM2 5GP

How to get there

Contact

For more information, contact: [email protected].