When a patient is diagnosed with cancer or other disease, care teams want to know more about the condition, including the type and subtype of the tumor. Immunohistochemistry is a laboratory test that can help answer these questions by identifying specific proteins, known as markers, within a tissue sample. This information is critical for a pathologist to make an accurate diagnosis of the patient’s disease.
IHC uses immunohistochemistry services (matching molecules) that seek out and bind with the unique antigens found in cells in a tissue section. When the antibody binds to the antigen, a color dye is activated that can then be visualized under the microscope. There are over 400 unique antigens that can be detected using IHC assays.
The BTRF immunohistochemistry service offers investigator initiated and routine IHC on formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues as well as OCT-embedded frozen tissue. It also supports IHC on cell smears and cytocentrifuge preparations.
Top Immunohistochemistry Services for Precise Diagnostics
This service is staffed by a team of specialized histotechnologists, many of whom have earned Added Qualification in immunohistochemistry (QIHC). The lab works closely with world class faculty pathologists at UT Southwestern to implement and monitor quality control for the stains offered.
A successful IHC experiment depends on the optimal conditions for generating a strong signal that can be easily visualized under the microscope. Optimizing the experimental workflow by minimizing background staining and non-specific antibody binding can significantly improve IHC results. Check out the Boster Bio blog for a comprehensive IHC optimization guide that includes insight into the critical steps of antigen retrieval, fixation and embedding.