Histology Lab

The McGowan Institute operates a, state-of-the-art histology laboratory in our Bridgeside Point facility.  The lab development was funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration and is under the administrative leadership of Dr. Stephen Badylak.  Histology is an essential tool in the development of tissue engineering and cellular therapies, and allows for timely and detailed interpretation of in vitro and in vivo experimental results.  Bridgeside Point II is the hub for the Institute’s research, and the close proximity of the histology lab to the research laboratories is crucial to the rapid assessment of our emerging technologies. 

The laboratory is managed by Deanna Rhoads.  Deanna joined the Institute in August 2009.  Deanna has over 4 years of experience in histology.  The success of the lab and the quality of the services is best judged by the customers.  The Wagner Laboratories are significant users of the new histology services.  Dr. Wagner observes that “the rapid turn-around and the expert support from the lab have enhanced the research of his group”.   Other significant users of the McGowan histology services are Dr. Stephen Badylak and his colleagues; Dr. Badylak notes that “the quality of the services and the flexibility of the staff to easily accommodate special requests ensures that their research studies progress unimpeded”.

Deanna Rhoads is prepared to train anyone who wants to personally use the histology lab, so that faculty and students can make use of the facilities.  The most commonly requested histological stains include:

• H&E (Hematoxylin and Eosin)
• Masson’s Trichrome
• PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff)
• Silver Stains
• Verhoff’s
• Elastic Trichrome
• Picro-Sirrus red
• Safarin O/Fast Green
• Immunohistochemistry

The services in the histology laboratory can be customized to fit the needs of any research program.  Contact Deanna about any special projects, stains or requests from your laboratory; she welcomes any suggestions or comments.

Contact information:           Deanna L. Rhoads, HT (ASCP)
                                        McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine Histology Lab Manager
                                        450 Technology Drive Suite 348 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
                                        (412) 624-5265
                                        rhoadsdl2@upmc.edu