Function of Core Unit as a Resource to the Program Project Grant.Histology Core Overview This Histology Core analyses tissues from genetically manipulated mice and fromlittermate controls, in collaboration with the Research Units of this Program Project, using varioushistochemical and immunohistochemical assays. Tissues from normal littermate controls are compared withthose obtained from genetically altered mice, to identify specific changes in phenotype as evidenced bychanges in morphology or changes in binding to a variety of probes (e.g., antibodies or lectins).Histology is crucial for providing the prerequisite morphologic data on any sample of organ or tissue, prior tothe use of the excised tissue in different analytical assays. Histological examination of tissue thus establishesthe absence of abnormal pathology, such as inflammation, necrosis, hemorrhage or tumor, prior to using theextracts of the tissue in various experiments. Scientific investigation of the role of particular genes in cancer isvery often dependent on the ability to translate observations obtained from methods such as enzyme linkedimmunosorbent assays, polymerase chain reaction or even Northern, Southern, Western blots, into identifyingthe cell types of expression in tissue sections. The analysis of single cells by flow cytometry, or even theanalysis of tissue sections with confocal microscopy is facilitated by the use of confirmatory histologicalmethods. Very often, it is the expression of gene products in a particular tissue that allows the investigator todeduce the significance of its presence, to its function. The results obtained from analysis of tissue are alsocritical in the planning of future directions of projects.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 140 publications
