The Electron Microscopy service at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham provides a regional, national and international diagnostic service.
Electron microscopy examines cells and tissues at very high magnifications, allowing detailed assessment of structures that cannot be seen using routine light microscopy.
The service supports the diagnosis of a range of conditions through the examination of:
- renal biopsies
- cardiac biopsies
- muscle biopsies
- skin biopsies
- selected tumour biopsies
Our service
Electron microscopy is routinely performed at magnifications between 1,500 and 70,000 times, enabling detailed examination of the ultrastructure of cells and their surrounding tissues.
The laboratory receives approximately 1,000 specimens each year. Most samples are renal biopsies, although the service also examines muscle, nerve, cardiac, skin and tumour specimens.
The service supports healthcare organisations across the UK and internationally.
To maintain service continuity and specialist diagnostic support, the Electron Microscopy service may use the specialist Electron Microscopy facility at Leicester Royal Infirmary when required.
The Leicester service is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 15189:2022 standards (Reference Number 8608).
Information for healthcare professionals
Specimen referral service
The Electron Microscopy service accepts a range of specialist diagnostic specimens for ultrastructural examination. These include renal, muscle, cardiac, skin, nerve and selected tumour biopsies.
Electron microscopy is used to support diagnosis when additional ultrastructural detail is required beyond that available through routine histology and light microscopy.
Clinical advice
Consultant pathologists are available to provide clinical advice and guidance regarding specimen suitability, referral requirements and diagnostic testing.
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to contact the service before sending complex or unusual specimens.
Opening times
The Electron Microscopy service is open:
Monday to Friday, 09:00 –17:00
Contact us
Beverley Whitehouse, Electron Microscopy Clinical Lead
Electron Microscopy Laboratory
Quality assurance and accreditation
The Cellular Pathology laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are part of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). The laboratories are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to the ISO 15189:2022 standard.
Accreditation information is available under Cellular Pathology (UKAS Reference 10141).
Tests that do not appear on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation are not UKAS accredited. These tests are validated in line with laboratory procedures and are carried out by trained and competent staff.
For a list of accredited tests and further information, visit the UKAS website:
Human Tissue Authority approval
The Cellular Pathology laboratory is approved and registered by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).
Data protection
Cellular Pathology services comply with the Trust's Data Protection Policy. Procedures are in place to ensure the service and its staff meet data protection requirements and follow recognised best practice.
Contact us
For further information about quality assurance and accreditation, contact:
Louise Fallon
Quality Manager
Email: louise.fallon@uhb.nhs.uk
Training and Development
For information on careers, training and education in Pathology, please see our Training and Development webpage.
Last reviewed: 10 July 2026