Morphology and Imaging Core

形态学单元和成像核心将提供动物模型动脉粥样硬化的分析，使用传统和新技术提供范围、进展速度和成分的测量。对于PPG的更新，形态学核心将在UCSD的Yury Miller博士的指导下整合在一个位置。总体目标是为项目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。这包括对面部病变的常规分析，主动脉根部病变体积，以及最近对腹主动脉病变体积的分析。第二个特定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）提供动脉粥样硬化病变中巨噬细胞浸润的定量。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。这包括提供非固定组织用于基因表达研究，石蜡包埋或冷冻切片用于病变或细胞形态学，还包括必要的激光捕获显微解剖。特异性靶4将提供从胸主动脉和腹主动脉剥离的主动脉周围脂肪组织。这是一个新的功能，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中也会有较小程度的研究。形态学和成像核心被PPG的研究人员广泛使用，并且已经发展到满足新的需求。我们预计它将继续在PPG的生命周期中发挥核心重要作用。

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.