Electron Microscopy & Histology Core

The mission of the Electron Microscopy and Histology Core is to provide high quality services at an affordable cost to research investigators at the Augusta University and external research facilities.

The core occupies ~3,000 sq. ft. and is located on the first floor of the Carl Sanders Research and Education Building (CB1113). The Core is well equipped and offers a variety of specimen preparation services for transmission and scanning electron microscopy, vibratome, paraffin, cryostat and JB-4 sectioning. The Core is supported by the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy at Augusta University and user fees. The core is available to all Augusta University affiliated investigators and off-campus investigators.

The Core, which operates on a fee-for-service basis, offers routine H&E staining and various histological special stains, PASH, Masson Trichrome, Van Gieson and many others. The Core offers investigators a full line of immunohistochemical services including immuno-EM studies. It is a full service facility, and augments research by providing expensive, specialized equipment and experienced technical staff to perform ultrastructural analyses.

The experienced Core staff performs all aspects of the ultrastructural procedures from specimen processing to imaging (for Electron Microscopy, TEM and SEM) and processing, sectioning, and staining for light microscopy (paraffin, cryostat, and JB-4). The core is managed by Ms. Donna Kumiski (HT, ASCP). Additional staff members include Dr. Brendan Marshall PhD., an expert in Electron Microscopy and Immunohistochemistry. Ms. Elizabeth Perry (MSA Certified), an expert in Electron Microscopy. Ms. Tania Green (MSA Certified) an expert in Electron Microscopy and Histology and Ms. Jing Zhao, MS who’s expertise includes Immunohistochemistry and Cryosectioning. A newly added service includes the sectioning of calcified bone specimens.

We encourage all users, but particularly new users, to contact the staff to discuss the objectives and requirements of the studies they intend to conduct before embarking on those studies. During the initial consultation the staff and investigator will discuss the investigator's objectives, the respective responsibilities of the investigator and the Core staff in accomplishing the work, the methods to be used, a time frame in which the results could be completed, and the potential cost of the studies.

The Core requests acknowledgment of its services in any publications containing data either supplied directly by the Core, such as electron micrographs or immunohistochemical staining, or where the Core has provided embedding and sectioning services for slides subsequently stained by the investigator. An example is provided below;

"We wish to thank the Augusta University Medical College of Georgia Electron Microscopy and Histology Core Facility (RRID:SCR_026810) for ...........(insert service provided)"

LETTERS OF SUPPORT

The Core is happy to provide "Letters of Support" for investigators who are planning grant submissions. Investigators should supply the title of the proposed grant together with a brief description of the planned studies.

LOCATION

The Service Lab and Central Office is located in CB-1113, on the first floor Carl Sanders Research and Education Building.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday through Friday 8:00 am. – 5:00 pm.

The core will follow the Augusta University calendar for holidays.