The renal pathology division handles in excess of 2500 renal biopsies annually, of which approximately 20% are from transplanted kidneys. Almost all specimens are examined by sophisticated light, immunofluorescence and electron microscopes. The rotation includes light microscopic case reviews performed twice a week. The renal pathology curriculum covers all basic concepts and areas of native and transplant renal pathology. A large number and variety of study cases are available as well. The one-month rotation is done in the third or fourth year and includes non-renal electron microscopy and immunofluorescence.
The electron microscopy laboratory processes specimens that require examination at the cellular and intracellular level under very high magnification for the purpose of diagnostic interpretation by a pathologist. In contrast to the light microscope which can magnify images up to 1000 times the electron microscope can magnify tissues well over 100,000 times.
