The “HistoBoilers”, histopathology laboratory is a section within ADDL. According to the National Society of Histotechnology: “Histology is a science dealing with the structure of cells and their formation into tissues and organs” (http://nsh.org/what-histotechnology). It uses methods to detect tissue abnormalities to help understand and diagnose diseases.

The HistoBoilers staff includes 5 full-time technicians and a faculty supervisor. It provides support to the 7 senior pathologists and 7 graduate students at the West Lafayette ADDL and SIPAC locations. Samples sent by clients are received by mail and courier services. In addition, tissues collected from the post-mortem floor are processed in this laboratory. Each sample is fixed, trimmed, processed, embedded, sectioned and stained for microscopic evaluation. The histolab also offers specialized techniques such as histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, mostly for cancer diagnosis.

ADDL participates in several surveillance programs including avian and fish diseases and prion diseases in small ruminants and deer. Tuberculosis testing of wild deer is another active surveillance program as a result of the diagnosis of this disease in this species. So far this year, the ADDL histolab has processed and provided the pathologists with slides for microscopic evaluation on just under 2,000 deer.

Dr. Jose Ramos-Vara, Section Head,

and his HistoBoilers: (left to right) Katie Praay, Stephanie Hucko, Rosa Bryant, Christine Mickle and Dee DuSold, Lab Supervisor