Histopathology is the focus of much medical investigation and research. In this field, tissue sections of FFPE blocks are prepared. FFPE stands for "Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded". This process allows long-term storage and examination of tissue samplesand is one of the fundamental techniques in histopathology.

After tissue sections are prepared, histologic diagnosis follows, which is usually performed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. This classic staining method reveals the structures and details of the tissue and allows for accurate assessment.

Another important component is immunohistochemistry, which is performed in collaboration with the Comparative Experimental Pathology (CEP) research laboratory. This technique uses antibodies to visualize specific antigens in tissue sections, thus providing information about the composition of the tissue.

To study large amounts of tissue efficiently, the preparation of tissue microarrays (TMAs) is used. Here, small tissue cylinders from different tissue samples are placed on a single slide. This allows parallel examination of many samples and saves both time and resources.

For certain studies, it is also necessary to prepare tissue sections of frozen tissue. This process allows the tissue to be studied in a near natural state and provides detailed insights into tissue structure and function.

Finally, the lab uses the PAXgene Tissue System, which allows formalin-free tissue fixation. This is particularly important because formalin alters DNA in tissue, which can affect the quality of genetic analyses. This system is used not only for tissue fixation but also for tissue sectioning and hematoxylin-eosin diagnostics operations - all without the disadvantages that formalin brings.