Precision Health Program Tissue Analysis Core

The PHP TAC is equipped with a Leica Bond Rx and an Aperio Versa whole tissue–slide imaging
system. These instruments enable MSU researchers to implement a fully automated pipeline from
tissue slide staining to image analysis. These combined technologies enable co-detection of up to
8 markers in a single tissue section. This innovative platform enables detailed in situ molecular
characterization of diseased tissues with translational implications for personalized and precision
medicine.

Bond Rx is a fully automated open system developed by Leica as a complementary platform to their
FDA-approved clinical lockdown Bond-MAX staining station. Bond Rx is an ideal instrument in a
translational research setting to develop and implement multiplex tissue-slide based assays for
investigational applications and potential diagnostic applications (optimized protocols can be
lockdown in Bond-MAX system for FDA approval). Hundreds of steps can be programmed for a
single protocol which enables the co-detection of a large number of markers (3-4 with chromogenic
stains and up to 8 with fluorescent stains). A single run with co-detection of up to 8 markers (any
combination of DNA, RNA, glycans, and/or protein) is technically feasible and within performance
indications of the instrument.

VERSA is a Brightfield, Fluorescence, and FISH Digital Pathology whole tissue–slide scanner. The
Aperio VERSA is ideal for scanning multiplex whole tissue–slides of up to 8 fluorescent channels
with customizable dichroic filters at any magnification from 5x to 63x for the whole slide. A unique
feature of the VERSA imaging system is the ability to navigate, annotate, and analyze any field or
all fields of the whole tissue section within is original context in a single file image using Aperio
ImageScope software. The VERSA imaging system offers remote access and telepathology
options. The VERSA system includes an analysis workstation and software tools with specialized
algorithms. The Aperio Cellular IF Algorithm is used to quantify location, area, intensity, and
colocalization of up to 8 fluorescence-labeled markers within same cell or cellular compartment.
The Aperio TMALab is used to recognize and associate each tissue core with the appropriate map
position for easy management and analysis.

Services and Fees

Slide staining (units per slide) $32/unit

Pre-programmed assays

  • ISH probe/Ab optimization (1 unit)
  • 1-2ISH/IHCplex (1 unit)
  • 3-4ISH/IHCplex (2 units)
  • 1-2IHC/IHCplex (1 unit)
  • 3-4IHC/IHCplex (2 units)

Commercial kits

  • Chromogenic (1 unit)
  • Chromoplex (2 units)
  • IHCplex (2+ units)
  • CISH/FISH (2+ units)
  • ISH/RNAscope (3+ units)

Customized programs

  • 5+ISH/IHCplex (3+ units)
  • 5+IHCplex (3+ units)
  • iFISHplex (3+ units)

Slide scanning (units per slide) $10/unit

Brightfield

  • Chromogenic (1 unit)
  • Chromoplex (2 units)
  • H&E (1 unit)
  • Specialized stains (1 unit)

Fluorescence

  • ISH probe/Ab optimization (2 units)
  • 1-2ISH/IHCplex (2 units)
  • 3-4ISH/IHCplex (2 units)
  • 1-2IHC/IHCplex (2 units)
  • 3-4IHC/IHCplex (3 units)
  • IHCplex (2+ units)
  • CISH/FISH (2+ units)
  • ISH/RNAscope (2+ units)
  • 5+ISH/IHCplex (3+ units)
  • 5+IHCplex (3+ units)
  • iFISHplex (3+ units)

Slide analysis (units per slide) $10/unit

Brightfield

  • Chromogenic (1 unit)
  • Chromoplex (2 units)
  • H&E (1 unit)
  • Specialized stains (1 unit)

Fluorescence

  • ISH probe/Ab optimization (2 units)
  • 1-2ISH/IHCplex (2 units)
  • 3-4ISH/IHCplex (2 units)
  • 1-2IHC/IHCplex (2 units)
  • 3-4IHC/IHCplex (3 units)
  • IHCplex (2+ units)
  • CISH/FISH (2+ units)
  • ISH/RNAscope (2+ units)
  • 5+ISH/IHCplex (3+ units)
  • 5+IHCplex (3+ units)
  • iFISHplex (3+ units)

Contact Us

Lorenzo Sempere, PhD

Director, PHP Tissue Analysis Core

Email: semperel@msu.edu