[Histonet] Studying for ASCP qIHC
Hi everyone, I've been studying for my qIHC exam at the end of this month and I bought the Michigan Society's study workbook which has been a very helpful study guide. It's my understanding that there is no accompanying study guide for this...is that right? If that's not true, I'd love to know where I can pick one up! If it is true, is there anyone (or a group) out there with an interest in developing one? I'd love to work on this with some folks if anyone is interested! Best, Anna ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Studying for ASCP qIHC
Oops! I meant answer key instead of study guide. Sorry! Message: 4 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:54:24 + From: "Coffey, Anna (NIH/NCI) [C]" <anna.cof...@nih.gov<mailto:anna.cof...@nih.gov>> To: "histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu<mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu>" <histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu<mailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu>> Subject: [Histonet] Studying for ASCP qIHC Message-ID: <5c3e10119a1b824fbe92b08279f74a91025b2...@msgb10.nih.gov<mailto:5c3e10119a1b824fbe92b08279f74a91025b2...@msgb10.nih.gov>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi everyone, I've been studying for my qIHC exam at the end of this month and I bought the Michigan Society's study workbook which has been a very helpful study guide. It's my understanding that there is no accompanying study guide for this...is that right? If that's not true, I'd love to know where I can pick one up! If it is true, is there anyone (or a group) out there with an interest in developing one? I'd love to work on this with some folks if anyone is interested! Best, Anna ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Roche B-gal Staining Kit
Hello, I have been asked to do a B-gal enzyme stain using a Roche kit on frozen mouse sections. Another histologist recommended post-fixing in a glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde solution although this isn't mentioned in the kit instructions. This has me worried that there may be other things missing from the kit instructions that could improve the results. Has anyone else had any experience using this kit and, if so, did you find that other alterations to the protocol were required? Also wondering about potential counterstains that might work with this one. I'd appreciate any pointers if you have them! Thanks! Anna Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 anna.cof...@nih.gov 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Cytologic and Frozen Specimens - IHC Techniques
Is anyone able to recommend a good reference on preparation techniques for immunostaining of cytologic and frozen specimens? I'm studying for the qIHC exam and I'm striking out with my usual sources (Carson, DAKO guide, etc.) on some of the more specific questions in these areas. Thanks! Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 anna.cof...@nih.gov 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Removing paraffin sections from glass slides
Hello, I'm wondering if anyone has experience removing dried unstained paraffin sections from charged glass slides. I don't need to preserve the sections, just want to reuse the slides. Thanks! Anna Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 anna.cof...@nih.gov 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] OJT Histotechs/Training
Hi Loralei, Maybe I'm just misunderstanding, but I'm unclear why you would be ineligible to sit for the exam with your experience. I've always worked in a research lab on animal tissues and used that experience to qualify for the exam. There is no longer a practical portion of the exam (the entire thing is a multiple choice electronic exam) and none of the paperwork requires a pathologist to sign off as your supervisor (this is the form to verify experience: http://www.ascp.org/pdf/BOC-PDFs/Documentation-forms/DocumentationFormHTLRoute2.aspx). According to the ASCP site, experience counts as one year full time acceptable experience in a histopathology (clinical, veterinary, industry or research) laboratory in the U.S., Canada or an accredited laboratory* within the last ten years. It's my understanding that the exam requirements have changed over the last few years (before I got my certification) and maybe you now would be eligible for the certification? Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 anna.cof...@nih.gov 301-846-1730 Message: 3 Date: Mon, 18 May 2015 11:59:59 -0700 From: Loralei Dewe lld...@gmail.commailto:lld...@gmail.com To: Joelle Weaver joellewea...@hotmail.commailto:joellewea...@hotmail.com Cc: Jennifer MacDonald jmacdon...@mtsac.edumailto:jmacdon...@mtsac.edu, Mayer, Toysha N tnma...@mdanderson.orgmailto:tnma...@mdanderson.org, histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edumailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edumailto:histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: Re: [Histonet] OJT Histotechs/Training Message-ID: cagegmmdjumgob-rvd3mwv9ioqz9gpkw2l2ouzorhbyrpyhn...@mail.gmail.commailto:cagegmmdjumgob-rvd3mwv9ioqz9gpkw2l2ouzorhbyrpyhn...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 I have a different perspective on this issue. I have been in histology for over 20 years. I worked at UC Davis in Vet. Histopath for several years. I was a histology Core facility manager and started up the facility from scratch at UC Davis Health system while running a Core Confocal microscope facility there. BUT I was in research, I wasn't in a Pathology lab and I don't qualify for the HT or HTL so I can't get work in the industry. Talk about a conundrum! Loralei ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] B-gal positive control
Hello Histonet, Has anyone out there come across a good FFPE positive control for B-gal? If so, please let me know! We would like to purchase a block or unstained slides if at all possible. Thanks! Anna Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 anna.cof...@nih.gov 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] qIHC Prep
Histonet, I am preparing for my IHC qualification exam this summer and I am very interested to hear about what prep materials you used to prepare for the exam. I have the Carson book, the DAKO guide book, and the workbook put out by the Michigan Society of HTs. I'm wondering if any of you have other suggestions on materials that were helpful to you and if you know of any practice exams out there. I'm finding that, although the workbook is helpful, I'm not actually sure if my answers are 100% correct. I appreciate any help you can give me! Thanks, Anna Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 anna.cof...@nih.gov 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Anti-mouse TERT antibody
Does anyone know of a good anti-mouse TERT antibody? Appreciate your help! Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 anna.cof...@nih.gov 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] RE: BS in Histotechnology
As a newly certified tech, I've got to say that I really appreciate this conversation and hearing others' stories. I am someone who did sort of fall into histology by accident; I learned processing, sectioning, and HE staining while preparing the samples for my MS thesis. I had a BS in Biology and a MS in Marine Science and found very few job opportunities available upon graduation. I knew I had a strong interest in pathology and luckily had learned a skill (histology) to get a job in a histopath lab. I was encouraged to get my certification, but when I started looking into it, I was a bit frustrated by what seemed like a very informal process and severe lack of resources. It took me a very long time to figure out if I was even eligible to sit for the exam! I was so grateful to find out about this listserve and everyone was very helpful and supportive throughout the whole exam prep process. However, there were many times I felt I had nowhere to turn for answers. I will admit that I underestimated the amount and depth of questions on the exam and was shocked by the amount of time it took to prepare myself. I basically taught myself everything from books and online test prep materials. This left me feeling like, although I had learned A TON, there were still significant holes in my knowledge and I have since resigned myself to trying to pick up as much as I can from any resources I can get my hands on. I certainly don't want to imply that my experience is the norm, but I do wish there was more information out there about histology as a career. I often feel like I'm trying to piece together a niche career because of the way I came into the field and I don't know many other certified techs that I can try to model my own career path after. I do consider this listserve a very valuable resource and greatly appreciate everyone's contributions. Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 anna.cof...@nih.gov 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Fish Skin Histology
Hello Histonet, I am looking for advice on the best method to prepare fish skin and eyes for sectioning. If you have had experience with this in the past, I'd love to hear what worked for you. Thanks in advance! Anna Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 anna.cof...@nih.gov 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Microscopy training courses or certification programs
Hello Histonet, I am curious if anyone can recommend a good microscopy training course or certificate program? I'm looking primarily for training on light microscopes. Thanks, Anna Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Help with cutting mouse brain at 9-10 microns
Hi Kimberly, Most of what I work with is mouse tissue and I've found the brains to be a bit tricky because they both hydrate and dry out quickly. I normally keep the paraffin blocks on an ice for about 2 hours (after they've been fully faced in), checking periodically to make sure the tissue is not overhydrating. When I section, I can normally only take a few sections before the brain starts to dry out again (you can tell when you start to see scratches and dry white areas on the tissue). Most of the blocks are ready to cut again after a few additional minutes back on the ice. For thicker sections (up to 20um), I take use the wooden stick of a cotton swab and hold it against the base of the paraffin block as I cut the section. The section will curl around the stick and you can roll it out flat on the water bath to smooth it out. Hope this helps! Anna Coffey, MS, HTL(ASCP)CM Histotechnologist Center for Advanced Preclinical Research Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. Bld 539, 224 Frederick, Maryland 21702 301-846-1730 ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
