Whole slide imaging is the last step in a tissue preparation process that includes sample handling, fixation, IHC, cover slipping, etc. Ideally, imaging an entire slide provides more accountability and feedback about the steps upstream. With a single computer search one can look across hundreds of slides and instantly observe good and poor fixation techniques, microtome issues, sample handling, and many other sources of error. Image analysis can be set up to run regularly and systematically to determine if an IHC chromagen reagent like DAB is stable or needs replacing, or if the hemotoxylin stain needs replacing.
Particularly in clinical trials, consistent IHC staining procedures are critical for reproducible results. The constant demand for faster turnaround time in clinical laboratories has resulted in a lack of attention to adequate fixation times, and the end result is poor protein expression data at the end.
Flagship has partnerships with several leading histology laboratories, so that the best histology service can be matched with each project. The histology results are audited and reviewed by a board-certified pathologist, so you can be certain that the quantitative pathology image analysis we do is built on a solid histology foundation.