What Is Stereology?

Stereology is simply the study of estimating geometric quantities—obtaining information from flat, two-dimensional images. 

In 1961, the journal Science carried the following announcement:

"An International Society of Stereology (the science of three-dimensional interpretation of flat images) has been formed for the exchange of ideas concerning applicable research methods in microanatomy, cytology, ultrastructure studies, metallurgy, geology, astronomy, and cosmology. Inquiries are invited concerning membership, or the activities of the society."

There are many examples today of estimating geometric quantities that are 2-dimensional. The more challenging concepts deal with the estimation of 3-dimensional quantities based on the observation of 2-dimensional images. 

Today, the field of stereology has evolved to include the study quantification in 3 dimensions. In fact, today the most common estimates are quantities in 3-dimensional material. Examples of this are the number of brain cells within a brain region, the length of capillaries, the volume of a tumor, as well as the percentage of quartz in granite. 

In recent years, advent of design-based stereology has improved the accuracy and reliability of quantification in biological research. The application of design-based stereological methods to the analysis of the central nervous system, as well as other organs, has contributed considerably to our understanding of the functional and pathological morphology of the body.

More Information about Stereology

Stereology System

Stereo Investigator is the only complete, scalable solution from brightfield to confocal stereology, with tools for image analysis, mapping, and measurement all in one software package. It has been cited in over one thousand peer-reviewed journal articles—more than any other stereology system. Stereo Investigator is an integral component of ongoing work in numerous fields, and it has contributed to recent advances in disease research, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s.

Stereology Contract Services

A trusted component of stereological analyses for pharmaceutical, biomedical, and neuroscience research, MBF Labs services are ideal for anyone looking for expert stereological analysis but lacking in-house instrumentation or expertise. MBF Labs scientists and technicians collect the data, interpret the results, and prepare a final report. Whether it is brain, lung, or other biological tissue, MBF Labs will get accurate results needed for research.

Stereology Courses

Fundamentals in Neuroscience:
Morphological and Behavioral Approaches
organized by João Carlos Sousa, Ph.D. and José Miguel Pêgo, MD, Ph.D.
March 9-13, 2009
Braga, Portugal

Short Description
The first edition of the course aims at covering key aspects of behavior and morphology in the study of neurosciences. This is intended to be a basic-level course on neuroscience research. We are targeting persons who are currently members of research teams and who are likely to be relatively new to Neuroscience. The course has a comprehensive one-day theoretical content supported by a strong practical component (4 days). At the end of the course attendants should be able to correlate morphological aspects with behavioral performance and choose and manipulate the appropriate laboratory tools.

Program
Planned lectures include:
- Anatomical organization of the CNS: from humans to rats
- Memory and the hippocampus
- Executive behavior and the prefrontal cortex
- Anxiety and Fear
- Depression
- Addiction and the accumbens
- Goals and habits and the dorsal striatum

Workshops include:
- Hands-on workshop in Animal Behavior - elevated plus maze, acoustic startle, forced swim test, open field, conditioned place preference, morris water maze, operant behavior
- Hands-on workshop in Brain Dissection - macrodissection of brain areas, laser microdissection
- Hands-on workshop in Stereological Tools - volumes, optical dissector, 3D neuronal reconstruction

Course Directors
Dr. João Carlos Sousa is an auxiliary professor at the School of Health Sciences, University of Minho enrolled in the teaching of biochemistry. His research activities have been centered in the behavioral characterization of null-mutant mouse strains. Presently he is mainly focused on how changes in the pattern of gene expression in the choroid plexus influence the subventricular zone cell population dynamics. He is experienced in both laser microdissection and macrodissection of brain areas, and rodent behavior analysis.

Dr. José Miguel Pêgo is an auxiliary professor at the School of Health Sciences, University of Minho enrolled in the teaching of pharmacology. His research activities have been centered in the behavioral and morphological characterization of animal models of anxiety. Presently he is mainly focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity in stress models of anxiety. He is experienced in rodent behavior analysis, stereology and 3D reconstruction of neurons.

Space is limited to the first 30 registrants. For more information or to register, please visit the conference website.

NeuroSterology Workshop
Special Topics Course at the Marine Biological Laboratory
Organized by Dr. Mark West
April 4-9, 2009
Woods Hole, Massachusetts , USA

Short Description
The NeuroStereology Workshop is a special topics course at the Marine Biology Laboratory, Woods Hole. The goal of the workshop is to teach a small group of research scientists how to design, supervise, and critically evaluate stereological studies of the nervous system. Stereology is a methodology that provides meaningful quantitative descriptions of the geometry of three-dimensional structures from measurements that are made on two-dimensional images sampled from a structure of interest. The workshop will emphasize modern design-based stereology, which is characterized by the preparation and probing of tissue in such a manner that no assumptions about the size, shape, and orientation of the structures being quantified are necessary. 

Unlike previously available methods, these newer methods produce accurate and robust estimates of total quantities, such as number, length, area and volume. Because of the enhanced power of the data obtained with these methods, they have recently made important contributions to our understanding of the changes in the structure of the brain related to aging and disease and are rapidly becoming the standards required by journals and granting agencies. 

The mathematical basis and practical application of these methods will be presented through a series of lectures, practical exercises, demonstrations, and critical evaluations of individual projects. Particular emphasis will be placed on design based, stereological methods that have particular relevance to the study of the nervous system, such as estimates of: 1) the numbers of neurons and synapses, the length of axons and capillaries, and the volumes of brain regions, layers; 2) the volumes and spatial arrangement of individual cells and pathological entities. 

Who Should Attend
The target audience includes neuroscience research scientists working at the graduate student or post-doctoral level, and senior scientists who are interested in the practical application of design based stereological methods. The number of participants is limited to 30, to ensure robust faculty-student interaction. 

Course Director
Mark. J. West, Ph.D., Dr. Med. Sci.
University of Aarhus
Denmark

For more information, please visit: www.neurostereology.info

Practical Training Course in Confocal Microscopy and Design-Based Stereology
Organized by Dr. Daniel Peterson
May 18-22, 2009 and August 17-21, 2009
North Chicago, Illinois, USA

Short Description
The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive background in the theory and practice of modern histological preparation and microscopic analysis for researchers in biomedical science. The course provides a practical tutorial in all aspects of microscopic analysis including experimental design, specimen preparation, use of fluorescence and confocal microscopes, design-based stereology, and image preparation for scientific publication. At least four confocal microscopes equipped for stereology and several brightfield microscopes are available for use. Participants should bring examples of their material and problems for discussion. In addition to lectures, substantial time every afternoon is devoted to “hands-on” practical sessions. Finally, attendees participate in group discussion, where they can discuss their research applications and consult with the instructors. 

Who Should Attend
The target audience is anyone who needs to utilize the cutting edge technologies of confocal microscopy and stereology to achieve an adequate level of analysis for their studies. This course is designed to provide systematic instruction in microscopy and stereology for scientists who are actively engaged in qualitative and quantitative microscopy or for those who need to introduce these technologies into their work. The course is taught on a graduate level and is suitable for experienced technicians and graduate students through to principal investigators. 

Course Director
Dr. Daniel A. Peterson is a stem cell biologist and neuroscientist who maintains an active, NIH-funded academic lab focusing on brain repair and neurogenesis. Dr. Peterson also directs a core microscopy and stereology facility. He has been teaching international microscopy and stereology courses since 1995. 

Space is limited to the first 20 registrants for each session. Two graduate student scholarships are available. For more information, to download the course program, or to register, please visit: www.neurorenew.com