Morphology and Imaging Core
Luis Marrero, Core Director
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The Morphology and Imaging Core (MIC) in the LSUHSC-NO Gene Therapy Program has evolved as a comprehensive histopathology and specialized imaging center for use by Gene Therapy Consortium partners and other local researchers. The MIC has gained local and national recognition by facilitating collaborators, partners, and clients with the latest technologies in the fields of histology; immunological and chemical detection of gene expression; imaging of cellular targets at the molecular level; underpinned by expert advice in experimental design and interpretation of results. In this way, the MIC has a critical role to play in attracting new faculty and aiding in the acquisition of new grant awards.
During the past two years, MIC staff have dedicated significant effort to developing and validating quantitative analyses for a wide range of investigations including stereology of lung tissue from emphysema models; measurement of organism burden in models of tuberculosis; simultaneous detection and counting of spleen cells involved in antigen presentation; establishment of spatial correlations between interacting proteins in breast cancer; and migration of stem cells in regenerating limbs. These powerful quantitative analyses allow for striking images and informative data sets. In addition, the MIC has developed a repertoire of sophisticated software modules that allow for the seamless integration of shaded pixels to volumetric renderings of tissue elements in order to better understand, locate, and measure the exact depth of molecular manifestations.
The MIC has experienced a nearly 30% increase in clientele in the past two years. Nearly one hundred collaborators and clients include investigators from a variety of research locations and fields at both local and national levels. Half a dozen private sector entities have also maintained continuous interest in this core facility.
Future plans for the MIC include acquisition of laser micro-dissection capability to allow for functional and molecular analysis of cells and tissues dissected and isolated from precise anatomical regions. In addition, in partnership with the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, the MIC has undertaken to launch a web-based tumor pathology reference site through analysis and digitization of patient samples.