# Biospecimen and Pathology Core

> **NIH NIH P50** · WISTAR INSTITUTE · 2022 · $286,862

## Abstract

Project Summary – Biospecimen and Pathology Core B
The primary objective of the Biospecimen and Pathology Core of the Wistar/UPenn SPORE in Skin Cancer is to
provide a centralized facility focused on procurement, processing, analysis and distribution of malignant and
normal tissue in support of translational cancer research, particularly melanoma research. The Core has been
an effective resource for all SPORE projects in the prior funding period, which were heavily tissue-dependent,
and will continue to provide essential support services for the proposed SPORE Projects moving forward. The
Core will collect, store and process high-quality and well-annotated biospecimens (blood, fresh and paraffin
embedded tissue) of tumor and normal tissue using SOPs modified in a Project specific manner (Aim 1). We will
expand and maintain a functional multi-institutional integrated biospecimen and clinical database that includes
pathological, treatment, recurrence, and follow-up data as well as comprehensive acquisition and distribution
data associated with the use of tissue. The already existing database supports horizontal, vertical and inter-
SPORE collaborations (Aim 2). We will select and distribute high quality biospecimens. We have developed
procedures to select, prepare and distribute well-annotated tissues from benign, primary and metastatic tumors;
DNA, RNA and proteins from biospecimens according to the specifications of each project. Distribution is
governed by guidelines developed by the Tissue Resource Allocation Committee (TRAC) to ensure efficient and
maximal use of tissue, and patient confidentiality (Aim 3). We will provide histological examination of all
biospecimens used by each project, tissue processing and immunohistochemistry, and expert interpretation of
studies performed on the tissue (Aim 4). Finally, we will develop innovative research assays and tissue
preparation methods catering to the specific needs of each project and to facilitate clinically impactful research
(Aim 5).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10480834
- **Project number:** 5P50CA261608-02
- **Recipient organization:** WISTAR INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Xiaowei Xu
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $286,862
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-03 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10480834

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10480834, Biospecimen and Pathology Core (5P50CA261608-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10480834. Licensed CC0.

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