Cellular and Molecular Physiology Core

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PROJECT SUMMARY – CELLULAR MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY CORE The Cellular and Molecular Physiology Core is the “work horse” of this Center, but it also continues to serve as an innovation hub to provide liver investigators with the most up-to-date experimental models. The core is organized to provide technical expertise, equipment and personnel to Liver Center Investigators in order to provide them with state of the art cell and molecular research resources in an efficient, quality-controlled and cost-effective manner. The Core has a long history of developing new cell and animal models for liver research. Currently, the Core is divided into two Components: (1) The Cell Isolation and Cell Culture Component and (2) The Molecular Component. These are subdivided into: (a) Isolated cell preparations, including: hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, endothelial cells, stellate cells, portal fibroblasts and hepatic lymphocytes, primarily from mice and rats. Human hepatocytes are also utilized when available. Over 3,400 separate cell isolations were performed during the current award period; (b) Cell culture facilities for short and long-term cultures and cell lines; (c) Protein and gene expression using Quantitative RT-PCR and Infrared imaging detection; (d) Altering gene expression in liver-related cells, cell lines and tissues using siRNA transfection, adenovirus infection, and CRISPR technologies; (e) providing a variety of animal models of liver disease and (f) disease-specific mouse and human liver organoids, derived from iPSC’s, bile, and primary liver tissue. By centralizing these procedures in a Core facility, cost and effort are dramatically reduced, investigators are assured of a high degree of rigor, reproducibility, and quality control, and preparations can often be used simultaneously by more than one investigator. Mario Strazzabosco, MD, PhD, who has more than 25 years of relevant experience, directs this core with the collaboration of the Emeritus Director, James L. Boyer, MD, who has more than 4 decades of experience working with these preparations and procedures. They are assisted by Romina Fiorotto, PhD, and Shi-Ying Cai, PhD, which assures daily supervision, availability, and advice to investigators for many of these services.