Comparative Pathology and Genomics Shared Resource

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine was awarded a $2 million grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to develop a Comparative Pathology and Genomics Shared Resource on campus, bringing substantially improved capacities for detailed assessment of animal models of infectious disease. This resource will improve human translational outcomes (i.e., treatment and prevention) through detailed characterization of animal models of infectious disease across species at the clinical, pathologic, and genomic levels. 

Funds from the MLSC were used to purchase key equipment necessary to grow advanced histopathology and digital imaging including tissue cyclic immunofluorescence (t-CyCIF, Panoramic Midi II Digital slide scanner), comparative genomics including spatial profiling and analysis of RNA and DNA, (Nanostring GeoMx Spatial Profiler, nCounter Max, Illumina NextSeq 2000, 10X chromium controller, Agilent tapestation and Biomek i7 liquid handling system) and hematologic analysis (CeveronS100 coagulation analyzer). 

Together, this resource brings a core set of services designed to assess, credential, and utilize a wide variety of animal model systems of infectious disease more accurately. The core is housed in the newly renovated 3,622-square-foot, Amelia Peabody Pavilion. The total space for histopathology research is 1,303 sq. ft., with three dedicated research bays and two chemical hoods, specimen storage, and equipment benches designed to accommodate up to three microtomes. 

The core is co-directed by Dr. Amanda Martinot (comparative pathology), a board-certified veterinary pathologist, with a staff of certified histotechnicians and Dr. Heather Gardner (comparative oncology and genomics), a board-certified veterinary oncologist specializing in genetics. Services include processing of tissue samples (e.g. paraffin embedding, sectioning, routine hematoxylin and eosin staining, and a variety of special stains).

Contact

For questions about services email CPathGenSR@tufts.edu

Requests

Requests can be made via iLabs