Stereology

Stereology

What is Stereology?

Unbiased stereology is recognized in biological research as the best-practice method for quantitative histology. It is used to accurately quantify the number of cells, the length of fibers, and the area and volume of biological structures or regions. Stereology plays an important role in validating and rejecting experimental hypotheses. It is often used to help answer questions such as:

  • Is the number of cells in a region of interest in experimental subjects different than controls?
  • Has the length of nerve fibers or blood vessels changed?
  • Has there been a change in volume of a region of interest?
  • How much of my region of interest has been damaged by an injury?

Data and analyses obtained using stereology are more accurate than ad hoc quantitative analyses. Unbiased stereology uses systematic random sampling (a statistical sampling method) to unbiasedly select a representative sample of the region of interest. Then, researchers use a set of rigorously tested rules to mark cells and structures in each sampling site for quantification. 

 

Watch a Webinar on Stereology Concepts and Probe Selection Given by Dr. Dan Peruzzi and Dr. Susan Tappan

 

 

View a powerpoint presentation on 'Stereology Therory and Experimental Design'

By using unbiased stereology, researchers get unbiased, accurate and reliable data. For this reason, many peer-reviewed journals require or recommend the use of unbiased stereology when quantifying cells or structures. The Stereo Investigator system for unbiased stereology has been cited in over 4,000 published papers, making it by far the most-cited unbiased stereology system in the world.

In order to obtain the accurate results that unbiased stereology is known for, it is important to follow certain practices, described in the literature, during tissue preparation. MBF has Ph.D. staff scientists who can give you practical support for all aspects of stereological experimental design—from the tissue processing stage all the way to interpreting the results.

Additionally, MBF provides you with a host of expert stereological support that includes detailed software workflows within Stereo Investigator, extensive on-line documentation, videos and webinars. All of this is available to help guide you through the steps of a stereological study that are briefly outlined below.

  • Sample.  Systematic random sampling (SRS) is an unbiased and efficient way to select sample sites within the region of interest.  Stereo Investigator uses systematic random sampling (SRS) to obtain a representative sample of the tissue.  The system first chooses a random starting site within the region of interest - a crucial step for SRS - then directs the motorized XY stage to automatically move at a constant interval to the subsequent sample sites.
  • Measure.  Cells or structures in the chosen sampling sites are counted or measured with probes – graphical shapes superimposed on the specimen. Stereo Investigator includes workflows for all of the most popular probes, along with detailed documentation that will guide you through any of the 30+ probes in the program. Stereo Investigator guides you to use the specific stereological rules to follow for each probe to ensure that you make accurate measurements.
  • Results.  The probe results are calculated to provide an accurate estimate of the counts or measurements for the region(s) of interest as a whole.  Stereo Investigator automatically calculates the results for you. The accuracy of the data is also calculated and provided as the coefficient of error. Stereo Investigator also exports results directly into Microsoft Excel so you can easily sort and further analyze the data.
Read our book about stereology (with a focus on Neuroscience)

 

 

In This Webinar, Drs. Mark West and Susan Tappan Discuss Sources of Quantification Bias in Biological Experiments

 

 

Expand Your Research Capabilities with Imaging Modules for Stereo Investigator

  • 2D Slide Scanning - Create 2D whole slide images
  • 3D Slide Scanning - Create 3D whole slide images
  • Image Stack and 3D Visualization - Acquire and view 3D image stacks suitable for stereology
  • Image Montaging - Automatic 3D montaging/stitching of image stacks
  • MRI Support - Analyze MRI image sets
  • Serial Section Reconstruction - 3D anatomical reconstructions from serial section
  • Structured Illumination - Control of structured illumination hardware
  • Open Confocal - Unbiased cell counting/stereology on a confocal microscope
  • Zen Control - Unbiased cell counting/stereology on a Zeiss LSM confocal microscope
  • Fluoview - Unbiased cell counting/stereology on Olympus Fluoview 300 & 500
Read the research paper "Current automatic 3D cell detection methods are not a suitable replacement for manual stereologic cell counting"

 

Learn More About Quantifying Cell Populations and Brain Regions with Stereology

 

What to Look for When Purchasing a Stereology System

  • Controls the microscope’s motorized stage and camera
  • Automatically changes filter wheels and mirror cubes for imaging fluorescent tissue
  • New versions of stereology software are released consistently
  • Research support is available
  • Supports the newest microscopes, motorized stages, and cameras
  • Offers technical support when moving or changing a stereology system
  • Built-in workflows for popular stereology probes
  • Thorough and helpful system manuals

 

Upgrade to the World’s Most Cited Stereology System Today!

Switching to Stereo investigator from your current stereology system has never been easier. With an intuitive and task-oriented interface, Stereo Investigator offers researchers more functionality than any other stereology software. By upgrading today save up to 10% on your new stereology system, Stereo Investigator!

Make the Switch

 

In This Webinar, Dr. Susan Hendricks Answers Questions About Stereology Theory, Experimental Design and Stereo Investigator Software.

 

Professional Technical Support

When you call us you will speak with a person - not an automated system. Talk to us about your hardware, software, or experimental design questions. Our team includes Ph.D. neuroscientists and experts in microscopy, stereology, neuron tracing, and image processing; ready to help you over the phone or online.

Contract Stereology Services

Our Stereology services allows university, pharmaceutical, biotechnical, or government laboratories to have the industry-leading experts perform unbiased stereology data collection and analysis for you. This allows researchers,  the ability to increase the rate and efficiency of your data collection. Whether it is brain, lung, or other biological tissue, you will get the accurate results you need. MBF Bioscience’s trusted staff has the equipment and the stereological expertise to handle all types of studies from small pilot studies to full-scale experimental analyses and prepare a comprehensive report for you.

Request More Information

 

 

 

Get answers to your most pressing research and technical questions from MBF scientists and fellow researchers.

 

Visit MBF Bioscience Forum

 

We can also custom develop for you

MBF is proud to help bioscience leaders and experts push the next wave of innovation and discovery to benefit humanity. Given this, it’s possible you’re looking for customized technology for your needs. If that is the case, click here to get in touch with us directly. We’d be happy and honored to see if we can create something together that will move all of us forward.

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