The Unit has the facilities to process cells and tissue samples into a range of mediums including frozen, paraffin and resin for subsequent sectioning and staining by a variety of techniques. These methods include tinctorial staining for traditional histological examination and immunohistochemistry.

Users of the Unit may either contract the HRU to undertake work on their behalf or may use the facility to perform their own work. The HRU can offer advice and training on a variety of techniques. The Unit also has extensive experience in undertaking histopathology for clinical trials.

The HRU has a range of well maintained equipment available. This includes a cryostat, paraffin and resin microtomes, a range of light microscopes including those with multiple heads, a digital camera for photomicrography and a camera lucida attachment. We also have an image analysis system and a laser microdissection microscope.

The HRU has numerous collaborations within the University and with academic institutions and the pharmaceutical industry across Europe and the USA.