Non-COBRE Cores
While not directly supported by COBRE funding, the following core laboratories interact closely with CPR investigators and cores, representing one way in which institutional support strengthens the CPR.
Histotechnology Core
The Histotechnology Core was established in 1986 and is directed by Heather Hardy. The Core Lab is CLIA-certified, with two histology Research Specialists and two Clinical Certified Specialists. The Core serves both the research and clinical community throughout Nemours. This core provides support for histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and in situ PCR, H&E, special staining and basic cytology; immunoGold, immunoSilver and BrdU. Major equipment includes: Camera (Q Imaging), Cryostat (Leica), CryoJane (Instumedics), Cytospin (Shandon), Decloaking Chamber(Biocare), Embedding center (Thermo-Fisher), Immuno Stainer (Leica), Micro centrifuge, Microprobe System incubator(Fisher), Microprobe System stainer(Fisher), Microtomes (Leica), Microscopes (Leitz, Leica, Olympus), Slide warmer (Surgipath), Tissue Processor (Leica).
The Biobank was initiated by the CSC in 2011 to collect annotated tumor samples. This facility has been transferred to the division of pathology and expanded to include a wider range of samples, most notably orthopedic tissues, genetic material for rare pediatric disorders and blood samples. Diana Corao is the Director of this core. This facility is critical for the support of a wide range of clinical translational research and is a key component of the recently established COBRE supported Sickle Cell Center. Standard Operating Procedures for sample collection and processing have full Institutional Biosafety Committee and Institutional Review Board approval. Informed consent and assent is obtained prior to collection of tissues for the Biobank. Patient confidentiality is maintained and sample storage tracked by use of BioSpecimen Inventory software. Investigators can mine a deidentified database and request samples after obtaining IRB approval (usually determined as non-human subjects research because investigators do not have access to patient identifiers).
Life Sciences Core
The Life Science Center is a core facility designed for conducting biomedical research using animal models of human disease. Paul Fawcett is Director of this core. In spring 2008, a $360,000 renovation to the Life Science Center (funded by the CPR COBRE I) was completed to facilitate translational research programs by investigators at Nemours. The Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International accredited facility includes 10 holding rooms, three surgical suites and four procedure rooms (6930 sq. ft of space). The LSC building also has office space for the staff including a veterinarian, technical supervisor and staff (3), and a research surgical assistant. A KODAK In-Vivo Imaging System FX PRO (Carestream Health, Rochester, NY) is available for investigators to monitor tumor growth in mice. This small animal imaging system combines highsensitivity optical molecular imaging and high resolution digital x-ray to deliver precise anatomical localization of molecular and cellular biomarkers. Services for generation of transgenic and knockout mice are available on a recharge basis through core services through a consortium agreement between Nemours, University of Delaware, and Fox Chase.
The Life Science Center is a core facility designed for conducting biomedical research using animal models of human disease. Paul Fawcett is Director of this core. In spring 2008, a $360,000 renovation to the Life Science Center (funded by the CPR COBRE I) was completed to facilitate translational research programs by investigators at Nemours. The Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International accredited facility includes 10 holding rooms, three surgical suites and four procedure rooms (6930 sq. ft of space). The LSC building also has office space for the staff including a veterinarian, technical supervisor and staff (3), and a research surgical assistant. A KODAK In-Vivo Imaging System FX PRO (Carestream Health, Rochester, NY) is available for investigators to monitor tumor growth in mice. This small animal imaging system combines highsensitivity optical molecular imaging and high resolution digital x-ray to deliver precise anatomical localization of molecular and cellular biomarkers. Services for generation of transgenic and knockout mice are available on a recharge basis through core services through a consortium agreement between Nemours, University of Delaware, and Fox Chase.
Imaging Core
The imaging core provides training, mentoring and resources for cell and animal imaging and is directed by Sigrid Langhans. Dedicated equipment for the laboratory include laminar flow hoods, microscopes for fluorescent imaging, clinical centrifuges, CO2 incubators, refrigerators, freezers, and water baths. A Leica TCS SP5 confocal microscope and a 3I Marianas TIRF systems are located in a room adjacent to the cell culture room. The Leica TCS SP5 is a spectral laser scanning confocal microscope suitable for live cell functional imaging at high resolution. The Intelligent Imaging Innovations (3i) Marianas TIRF system is a fully integrated work station outfitted for both live and fixed-cell widefield epifluorescence and TIRF microscopy at high temporal resolution. A KODAK In-Vivo Imaging System FX PRO (Carestream Health, Rochester, NY) is available for investigators to monitor tumor growth in mice. This small animal imaging system combines high-sensitivity optical molecular imaging and high resolution digital x-ray to deliver precise anatomical localization of molecular and cellular biomarkers. This core works closely with the Delaware Biotech Institute to provide access to more advanced instrumentation at their INBRE supported Imaging core.
The imaging core provides training, mentoring and resources for cell and animal imaging and is directed by Sigrid Langhans. Dedicated equipment for the laboratory include laminar flow hoods, microscopes for fluorescent imaging, clinical centrifuges, CO2 incubators, refrigerators, freezers, and water baths. A Leica TCS SP5 confocal microscope and a 3I Marianas TIRF systems are located in a room adjacent to the cell culture room. The Leica TCS SP5 is a spectral laser scanning confocal microscope suitable for live cell functional imaging at high resolution. The Intelligent Imaging Innovations (3i) Marianas TIRF system is a fully integrated work station outfitted for both live and fixed-cell widefield epifluorescence and TIRF microscopy at high temporal resolution. A KODAK In-Vivo Imaging System FX PRO (Carestream Health, Rochester, NY) is available for investigators to monitor tumor growth in mice. This small animal imaging system combines high-sensitivity optical molecular imaging and high resolution digital x-ray to deliver precise anatomical localization of molecular and cellular biomarkers. This core works closely with the Delaware Biotech Institute to provide access to more advanced instrumentation at their INBRE supported Imaging core.