Morphology and Imaging Core

形态学单元和成像核心将提供动物模型中动脉粥样硬化的分析，使用传统和新型技术提供程度、进展速率和组成的测量。对于此次PPG更新，形态学核心将在Yury米勒博士的指导下合并到UCSD的一个位置。总体目标是为项目中的研究者提供评估动脉粥样硬化的传统和新技术。第一个具体目标是在动物模型中提供动脉粥样硬化程度的定量测量。这包括对正面病变、主动脉根部病变体积的常规分析，以及最近对腹主动脉病变体积的分析。第二个具体目标是通过使用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜和免疫荧光技术（包括Curtiss博士先前开发的技术）定量动脉粥样硬化病变中的巨噬细胞浸润。第三个特定目标将提供组织和细胞形态的定性和定量成像分析。这包括提供用于基因表达研究的非固定组织、用于病变或细胞形态学的石蜡包埋或冷冻切片，还包括根据需要进行激光捕获显微切割。特定目标4将提供来自胸和腹主动脉瘤的夹层主动脉周围脂肪组织。这是一个新功能，将满足对主动脉周围脂肪组织的新关注，这将是项目2的主要研究领域，在项目3中的程度较小。形态学和成像核心被PPG的研究者广泛使用，并已发展以满足所述的新需求。我们预计，它将继续提供一个核心的重要作用，在生命的PPG。

The Morphology Unit and Imaging Core will provide for analyses of atherosclerosis in animal models, providing measures of extent, rate of progression and composition using both conventional and novel techniques. For this PPG renewal, the Morphology Core will be consolidated in one location, at UCSD under direction of Dr. Yury Miller. The overall goal will be to provide Investigators in the Projects both conventional and novel techniques to assess atherosclerosis. The 1st Specific Aim is to provide quantitative measurements of the extent of atherosclerosis in animal models. This includes conventional analysis of en face lesions, lesion volume at the root ofthe aorta, and recently, lesion volume in the abdominal aorta. The 2nd Specific Aim is to provide quantitation of macrophage infiltration in atherosclerotic lesions by use of laser scanning confocal microscopy and immunofluorescent techniques, including those previously developed by Dr. Curtiss. The 3rd Specific Aim will provide qualitative and quantitative imaging analysis of tissue and cellular morphology. This includes the provision of non-fixed tissues for gene expression studies, paraffin embedded or frozen sections for lesion or cellular morphology, and also includes laser capture microdissection as needed. Specific Aim 4 will provide dissected peri-aortic adipose tissue from the thoracic and abdominal aortas. This is a new function that will meet the new focus on peri-aortic adipose tissue that will be a major area of study for Project 2, and to a lesser extent in Project 3. The Morphology and Imaging Core is widely used by Investigators ofthe PPG and has evolved to meet new needs as noted. We anticipate that it will continue to provide a centrally important role in the life ofthe PPG.