Published histology images tend to focus on only a small part of a fixed tissue slice. Journals could overcome this limitation by asking authors to make histological data from the rest of the slide available wherever possible, to extend and complement their published micrographs.

Tools are already available to scan entire histology slides for online study by virtual microscopy (see www.histology.be). This enables histology images to be shared worldwide, for example from pathology archives (M. G. Rojo et al. Int. J. Surg. Pathol. 14, 285–305; 2006) or to assist medical diagnostics.

Compiling the extended histology information in a public database would provide an invaluable resource for researchers. It could be used to access unexplored raw data from tissue slices, or to stimulate new analyses or alternative interpretations.