How do I cite HistoWiz in my publication?

Please feel free to use this as a template: Histology was performed by HistoWiz Inc. (histowiz.com) using a Standard Operating Procedure and fully automated workflow. Samples were processed, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned at 4μm. Immunohistochemistry was performed on a Bond Rx autostainer (Leica Biosystems) with enzyme treatment (1:1000) using standard protocols. Antibodies used were rat monoclonal F4/80 primary antibody (eBioscience, 14-4801, 1:200) and rabbit anti-rat secondary (Vector, 1:100). Bond Polymer Refine Detection (Leica Biosystems) was used according to the manufacturer's protocol. After staining, sections were dehydrated and film coverslipped using a TissueTek-Prisma and Coverslipper (Sakura). Whole slide scanning (40x) was performed on an Aperio AT2 (Leica Biosystems).

We kindly ask you to use our sharable link for the slides in your paper, allowing the reviewers and readers to access the entire slide instead of the traditional "postage stamp" pictures. This will help increase your credibility, help the journals to promote open access and minimize data bias, help the readers to better view histology data, and help us generate website traffic. Let us know the slides you want to publish, and we will keep them online on our cloud database for as long as needed for your studies for free. Once your paper is published, please send us the citation so we can promote your paper in our marketing materials.

How do I get my samples to you?

It's easy! Place your samples in a box, automatically generate a shipping label during online order submission, and drop it off at any FedEx/UPS location or in one of our many dropbox locations.

How do I ship my samples?

You can ship your samples in 25mL/50mL falcon tubes with 10% NBF or 4% PFA. If your samples are already fixed for 24-48 hours, you can ship them in 70% ethanol. FedEx and other major shipping providers accept wet tissue. Please see detailed order submission and shipping instructions here.

What’s a PO number?

Please contact your purchasing department to set up a blanket purchase order for our services and enter it during order submission. We will use it for invoicing as the work is being completed.

I don’t have a PO number.

Please use your credit card information to complete the online order form. If you'd like a quote, please contact us. No work will be done without a valid P.O. or credit card.

How do I get my results?

Simply log in to your Histowiz account from any electronic device and click on 'My Orders' button. All of your images will be available for viewing under your order number. We will send you an email when your order is complete!

I have specific instructions for my sample. How do I get that information to you?

We have a 'special instructions' field on our order form so that you can relay your custom specifications. We also allow for uploads of PDFs or images that can help with your sample processing.

I don't see my antibody listed on your IHC catalog. Can you still stain it for me?

We are happy to optimize new antibodies for you. We ask for a 40-50uL aliquot of the antibody along with the datasheet and positive and negative control slides. We may be able to supply the control tissue for a fee.

How do I ship an antibody?

Use ice packs or dry ice and ship them overnight. You can also have the manufacturer ship the antibody directly to us, and we will send back whatever we don't end up using.

What is automated image analysis?

Automated image analysis quantifies whole slide images in seconds and provides unbiased raw data on cell number, cell size, tumor volume, % biomarker positivity, stain intensity, vessel density, and more. We primarily use HALO image analysis software by Indica Labs.

How do I ship frozen samples?

Ship frozen samples by FedEx on dry ice. Use a styrofoam box with a cardboard box as a secondary container. Please place your samples in a plastic bag with your order number clearly written on the bag and place it in the center of the dry ice. Next, generate a FedEx label and make sure it indicates that this is a dry ice shipment. Place this label in a FedEx sticky plastic bag and attach this to the outside of the cardboard box.

What are the validated antibodies that HistoWiz offers?

Please take a look at our validated antibodies.

How do I get a quote for a PO?

You can generate a quote during the online order submission process, or by emailing us at info@histowiz.com

What software program can I use to view the download slides?

We don’t recommend downloading since these are gigabyte sized files and online storage is free. If you choose to download the slides for compliance or image analysis purposes, you can view the slides by using ImageScope (Windows) or QuPath(Mac) for brightfield images, and CaseViewer for immunofluorescent images. They are free slide viewer programs that you can download.

Do I have to fill out every single question on the order form?

You can fill out the information that's only applicable to your project. If there is any information that you want to add, please do so in the special instructions section on the order form.

Do you have a published whitepaper on your security practices?

Yes, please see the attached link here.

How can we check the accuracy of the viewer's scalebar?

We've scanned an industry-standard linear scale micrometer and uploaded it to our digital platform. As you zoom in and out of the slide, the scalebar will adjust accordingly to the measurement. Note: The slide includes metric AND imperial measurements. For reference, we've included a screenshot of scalebar on the micrometer slide at 500 µm, 1 mm, and 2 mm.