Preclinical Models of Digestive Diseases Core


This core provides VDDRC investigators with the opportunity to move nimbly from investigations utilizing non-invasive molecular imaging and histology, often in tandem, in tractable transgenic models of digestive diseases to digitization and state-of-the-art high throughput analysis of morphology-based findings. The core director is  M. Kay Washington, MD, PhD.
This core includes three components:

  • GI Organoids subcore
  • Preclinical Imaging subcore
  • Tissue Morphology subcore

GI Organoids subcore

Director: James R. Goldenring, MD, PhD

Specific Aim: To provide VDDRC researchers with cutting-edgy digital histomorphology services 

    Services: 

    • To provide high-resolution digital imaging of whole slides and TMAs in brightfield and fluorescence 
    • To facilitate the use of multiplexed fluorescence staining of histological specimens 
    • To facilitate the use of quantitative methods for analysis of digital histology brightfield and fluorescence imaging 

    Preclinical Imaging subcore

    Director: Todd E. Peterson, PhD

    Specific Aim: To develop, implement, optimize, and validate quantitative surrogate biomarkers of gastrointestinal disease to support preclinical research. 

      Services: 

      • To provide non-invasive imaging metrics of digestive disease initiation, progression and treatment in response to the needs of VDDRC investigators 
      • To facilitate and foster collaborations between VDDRC members and expert imaging scientists by developing cutting edge imaging tools to address important problems in digestive disease research 
      • To provide support for imaging data analysis customized to project-specific applications across VDDRC-supported cores, including co-registration and integration of multiple imaging modalities, histology and imaging mass spectrometry 

      Tissue Morphology subcore

      Director: Kay Washington, MD, PhD 
      Associate Director: M. Blanca Piazuelo, MD 

      Specific Aim: To provide VDDRC researchers with priority access to state-of-the-art immunohistochemistry (IHC), morphologic interpretation, and imaging-histology co-registration services for animal and human tissues.  

        Services: 

        • To provide expertise in developing, performing, and evaluating IHC studies for VDDRC members 
        • To provide expertise in evaluation of histopathology of animal models of gastrointestinal diseases and direct correlation with human disease, small animal imaging findings and organoid morphology 
        • To provide access to and morphologic assessment of human GI tissue samples, including custom tissue microarray design