Tissue resources are essential for studies of outcome markers, predictive markers, molecular epidemiology, and discovery of novel molecular therapeutic targets. Their importance is even more apparent In this evolving era of molecular imaging as well as high throughput technologies. The immense value of clinical biological sample collection is therefore readily apparent. Methods of harvesting, storage, and appropriate quality control are also vitally important to assure the high tissue quality required for advanced technology platforms. Finally, significant investments of skill, time and money have gone in to build these resources, and consideration and planning is given towards access and distribution of samples, so that these holdings have value-added as local, regional, national, and international resources. The Path Core will provide expertise and leadership for SPORE investigators in all areas of tissue acquisition and analysis. Human tumors are . highly complex because of inter-and intra-tumoral heterogeneity. The development and implementation of highly innovative technologies for the simultaneous assessment of multiple antigens/genes at the tissue level will also be an integral part of this Core, underscoring its constant drive to improve upon molecular pathologic analysis. Specifically, the technologies we have developed and are continuing to refine as well as sophisticated imaging technologies, will allow the identification of multiple antigens/genes. In summary, this Pathology Core is a critical component of the lung SPORE effort, and is uniquely positioned to characterize the morphologic phenotype of lung neoplasms, relate these findings to their molecular characterization, and rapidly advance our understanding of human tumors of the lung. The understanding produced by these investigations should ultimately lead towards the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this heterogeneous group of diseases within the funding period of this SPORE.
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