Research Histology Core Lab (RHCL)
Research Histology Core Laboratory (RHCL)
Maria Gabriela Raso, M.D.
Associate Director
Jacqueline Furr, HT(ASCP), B.S.HA
Laboratory Manager
- Research Resources
- Core Facilities and Services
- Research Histology Core Laboratory (RHCL)
September 2, 2020
TO: Archival Users
RE: Delays in Block Retrieval
MEMORANDUM
There has been numerous complaints about the delays in turnaround times for archival requests. We want you to know that the RHCL is doing it’s very best to complete your orders as fast as it is possible. The archival process that we follow is that of the Pathology department and involves two other entities, the pathology file room (PFR) and the tissue qualification laboratory (TQL). After speaking with the supervisors of both places about your concerns I was made aware of the problems they were experiencing being short staffed and overwhelmed with work. Iron Mountain the block storage facility is also short staffed and deliveries of blocks are taking longer to get to the PFR. All of the previously mentioned issues are the cause of the delays we have in completing archival request. There were no guarantees that things will get better any time soon. We understand the time restraints you are under and will continue to do our best to complete your orders. We ask for your patience and understanding in this matter.
Thank You,
The RHCL Team
The Research Histology Core Laboratory (RHCL) provides histological and molecular expertise, technical support and consultation to research investigators, which in turn produces positive outcomes for their research protocols.
The purpose of the RHCL is to allow researchers to concentrate their grant funds to their protocols, without the expense of hiring technical personnel or buying costly instrumentation. The services offered are all routine histology procedures along with some specialty services that include DNA and RNAse free preparation and sectioning, cell pellets and special stains.
The RHCL performs specialized techniques including, but not limited to:
- Aperio AT2 whole slide scanning
- Image and Digital Analysis
- Pathology Services
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
- Tissue Microarray (TMA)
- Bone Histomorphometry
- In-Situ Hybridization (ISH)
Accomodations can be made for the servicing of of special projects that do not encompass any of the aformentioned procedures and techniques. Please visit our services page for more detailed explanations of the services we perform.
The RHCL plays a large role in supporting research clinical trials such as the APOLLO Rare Tumor and ALLIANCE Moon Shot® protocols in the institution, and effectively collaborates with the clinical trial processes.
Request our services through iLab
For a detailed summary of iLabs and an instructional video explaining how to use it, visit our Resources page.
Sample pick-ups & drop-off hours
8 a.m.-3 p.m.
On September 8, 2020, the Research Histology Core Lab will move to
Phase 3 of reopening. This means we will no longer have two shifts
working, but will go to one shift from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sample
pick-ups and drop-offs will change to 8 a.m to 3 p.m.
New Services
In-Situ Hybridization & Quantitative Analysis Services now available
About RHCL
As part of the Tissue Biospecimen and Pathology Resource (TBPR), The Research Histology Core Laboratory (RHCL) provides an advanced research histology core facility that supports the histopathologic characterization of human and animal tissue specimens.
The RHCL is led by Dr. Ignacio Wistuba, chair of Translational Molecular Pathology; overseen by Dr. Maria Gabriela Raso, the Associate Director and Assistant Professor; and managed by Jacqueline Furr, HT ASCP, B.S. HA.
The RHCL offers routine and advanced cell and tissue based services to investigators, supporting the entire spectrum of research studies, including biomarker studies in clinical trials as well as basic and pre-clinical animal model research. It provides key services, from routine histology procedures to specialized services, such as histochemical stains, immunohistochemistry (IHC), chromogenic in-situ hybrdization (CISH), tissue microarray, digital pathology and pathology consultation services.
Core Grant Citation
This facility is funded by NCI # CA16672. Publications should cite the Core grant in the acknowledgment section, if publications use data generated by the Core facility. Two copies of the publication acknowledging the Core grant should also be submitted to the facility at 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 54, Houston, TX, 77030.
Disclaimer
The Research Histology Core Laboratory (RHCL) is not a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA)-certified laboratory. RHCL therefore does not provide chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH), fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), immunohistochemical staining, tissue microarray preparation or any other service for the purpose of reporting patient-specific results for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of any disease or impairment of, or the assessment of the health of individual patients (42 CFR Ch. IV, 493.3.b.2.). All services are for research use only.
Contact Information
RHCL North Campus
Lab Hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
1515 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX
77030-4009
Room: Y7.5821
Phone: 713-792-3119
Email: RHFCoreLab@mdanderson.org
RHCL South Campus
Lab Hours:
Tuesday & Thursday ONLY
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
7777 Knight Rd. Houston, TX
77054-3005
Room: SRB1.424
Phone: 713-792-5318
Email: RHFCoreLab@mdanderson.org
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