# Pathology and Genomics Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $86,696

## Abstract

Project Summary
We propose to establish a Consortium to study “Epigenomic Biomarkers of HIV-Associated Cancers in Nigeria.”
Our research focus and core services development plan has been prioritized by our Nigerian partners at
University of Jos (UniJos), Plateau State, Nigeria located in the center of the country and University of Lagos
(UniLag), Lagos State in the densely populated southwest. Our focus on the epigenetics of HIV-associated
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cervical cancer is justified by our extensive collaborative research history
in viral diseases including HIV, human papilloma virus, hepatitis B and C viruses. Northwestern University and
Mayo Medical School will serve as the high-income American partner institutions which is justified by the long
history of research and research training collaboration with the Nigerian institutions coupled with its expertise in
global health and ample complementary resources. The specific aims of the Pathology and Genomics Core
(PGC) are: 1. to enhance the existing laboratory systems to develop high-quality services in telepathology,
immunohistochemistry (IHC), cancer biospecimen repository, and molecular analyses at UniJos and UniLag, 2.
to develop a collaborative pathology and genomics laboratory team focused on providing core services for HIV-
associated cancer genetics research in Nigeria, and 3. to provide oversight and support for the pathology and
genomics needs of Projects 1 (HCC) and 2 (cervical) proposed under this U54. Our PGC will provide
investigators from UniJos and UniLag with high quality patient-derived biospecimens and the laboratory tools to
advance cancer research. To accomplish this, our PGC will maintain, update, and incorporate new standard
operating procedures, laboratory methods and technologies. Our PGC will be functionally divided into three
divisions/units: 1. Pathology Diagnostics: this includes all related tasks of routine histology, IHC and digital
telepathology, 2. Biospecimen Repository: this includes tissue and biospecimen procurement, detailed sample
annotation and well-controlled biospecimen banking procedures, and 3. Genomic Analysis: this includes DNA
extraction/preparation, qPCR for specific gene sequences, whole genome and epigenetic sequencing for DNA
methylation using Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip. The proposed PGC will utilize a strong
interdisciplinary approach involving several U54 investigators who represent a broad range of research
interests/expertise across UniJos, UniLag, Northwestern and Mayo. The overall goal of the PGC will be to
support and facilitate research proposed in Projects 1 (HCC) and 2 (cervical), provide facilities for training
activities under the Career Enhancement Core (CEC), coordination of research services with the Biomedical
Informatics and Statistics Core (BISC), build infrastructure and research management with the Administrative
Core (AC).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242889
- **Project number:** 5U54CA221205-05
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jian-Jun Wei
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $86,696
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242889

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242889, Pathology and Genomics Core (5U54CA221205-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242889. Licensed CC0.

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