Immunopathology Core

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Immunopathology Core Project Summary Biomedical researchers are often limited in their ability to perform complex immunopathologic analyses, either by a lack of technology/instrumentation available or by inexperience in delineating complex mechanisms associated with immune dysfunction and disease pathogenesis. The Immunopathology Core Laboratory (IPC) program in the Oklahoma Center of Respiratory and Infectious Diseases (OCRID) bridges this gap and provides a comprehensive solution by providing (1) access to cutting-edge assays for immunological data curation, (2) tissue processing for histopathology and downstream immunologic assays, and (3) expert support in the analyses of immunopathologic data and gross/histologic lesion interpretation. At its core, the IPC functions as a critical resource for pilot projects and OCRID investigators by providing flow cytometry, fluorescent-assorted cell sorting (FACS), immunofluorescent immunohistochemistry (IFA-IHC), and multiplex immunoassay (MIA) analyses. These functions are augmented through integration of our histopathology unit, which provides essential support in processing of research tissues for pathologic interpretation and downstream immunologic analyses. The primary function of the IPC in Phase III of this will be to provide continued immunology and pathology support for COBRE pilot projects and OCRID Center Investigators through implementation of a voucher program. The immediate impacts of the IPC in Phase III will be to (1) sustain OCRID pilot projects and investigators by facilitating access to immunopathologic services, and (2) continue development of OCRID by providing the means to incentivize growth of OCRID programs and projects beyond Phase III. The long-term goal of this Phase III project will be to broaden and diversify the IPC to recruit investigators from wider research fields from supporting institutions, thereby instituting a long-term solution for researchers in the region. To achieve this, the IPC will capitalize on the momentum gained by our fee-for-service program to expand services and capabilities to serve a larger group of scientists in the regional research community through (1) outreach seminars to increase awareness across the region, (2) soliciting collaborative extramural grant collaborations to recruit projects that utilize core services, and (3) acquisition of a user-friendly, high throughput cell analyzer to facilitate usage by wider clientele. We have already taken steps to increase usage by OCRID investigators and researchers at other institutions and by implementing outreach programs to increase our profile and build intra- and extramural clientele within the region, we will expand the IPC into a self-sustaining entity, able to support current and long-term state-of-the-art research projects at local and regional institutions.