Histochemistry and Tissue Processing Lab - Muscle Enzyme Histochemistry

(Snap Freezing Required)

For Snap Freezing

Sample size should be 50 -100 mg of tissue (the approx. size of 1 to 2 [#2] pencil erasers).

• The isopentane should be prechilled: Place the isopentane in a metal beaker suspended in the liquid nitrogen for 2-3 minutes, or until a white frost appears around the inside of the beaker (insufficient prechill will result in freezing artifact in the sample).
• While beaker is in prechill: Mount the sample onto a piece of cork (1.5 x 1.5 x 0.5 cm) in transverse section, with a small dollop of 8% tragacanth gum (from bottom up, you should have cork, tragacanth, then sample) The sample should not be placed down into the tragacanth, but rather just anchored at the base.
• The sample mounted on the cork should then be completely immersed in the prechilled isopentane and agitated for 45-60 seconds. Smaller samples will require less time in the isopentane. Larger samples should be divided into smaller pieces, measuring relatively, as noted above. Once snap-frozen, the sample should be transferred to a prechilled container (-20°C or colder), and packed deeply into 5-7 lbs of dry ice for shipment by FedEx, or stored at -70°C until transported.

Samples for enzyme histochemistry and immunofluorescence require snap-frozen tissue. A snap-frozen sample must be shipped by FedEx overnight first delivery*, or by prearranged courier. FedEx instructions are included. Courier deliveries are accepted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Additional Instructions

• The snap-frozen sample should always be shipped in 5-7 lbs of dry ice.
• Please call the lab prior to mailing any sample and always provide the FedEx tracking number to us.
• We will contact you when slides are ready to be returned and supply the return tracking number to you.

* Please do not ship samples after Thursday within a normal work week. Samples are not accepted on holidays and weekends.

Ship to:

Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

Department of Biomedical Research
Muscle Histochemistry Lab/ARB 264
1600 Rockland Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
Attention: Heather Hardy/ARB 264

Turnaround time for a standard histochemistry panel is generally 5-7 business days (with IF, 5-10 business days). Once testing is completed, your sample slides will be returned to you by FedEx, and the appropriate charges will be applied.

Special histochemistry and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC) are also available and listed on our request form with CPT and charge. Services from the lab represent the technical services only and do not include interpretation or professional consultation.

The charges for our technical services are listed on the sample request form (included) with the appropriate CPT code. Our CLIA certification number is listed above.

All payments are made facility to facility, by preapproved Business Associates Agreement (BAA). We do not accept any samples requiring direct patient billing. Agreement arrangements can be made through Greg Stets, Assistant Administrator for Research (302-651-6804), and require an open P.O. from the requesting facility. Samples will not be accepted until an approved/signed document is in place.

Use these downloadable forms:

• Payment (PDF)
• Test Selection (PDF)

Contact Billing Services

Bobbie Boyce

Lab Billing
(302) 651-6771
bobbie.boyce@nemours.org