In situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining apparatus and method

A microscope slide staining system, comprising:

• a chamber having an inner space;
• a plurality of independently movable slide support elements positioned in the inner space of the chamber, each of the slide support elements configured to support a microscope slide;
• a spreading device supply station containing a plurality of spreading devices, each of the spreading devices being positionable in association with at least one of the microscope slides supported on the slide support elements in a way that the spreading device defines a gap between the spreading device and the microscope slide when the microscope slide is positioned on the slide support element and in a way that each of the spreading devices is independently movable relative to the other spreading devices to spread at least one reagent on at least a portion of the microscope slide;
• at least one positioning device operable in a way to pick up and carry at least one of the spreading devices from the spreading device supply station to one of the slide support elements so that the at least one spreading device is associated with the microscope slide supported on the slide support element;
• and
• a plurality of heating elements such that at least one of the heating elements is associated with one of the slide support elements to heat the at least one reagent on the microscope slide.