# Integrative Morphology Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2024 · $135,832

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The overall goal of the Integrative Morphology Core of the Digestive Health Center (DHC) is to provide
DHC investigators with state-of-the-art, high quality, efficient and reliable technology support for morphologic
studies of digestive diseases. The Core pursues this goal with three complementary aims. In the First Aim “to
develop an effective service infrastructure to support morphologic studies,” the Core developed and
implemented an organizational infrastructure and personnel to greatly facilitate the request and execution of
services in a cost-efficient basis, while enhancing interactions between the investigative groups. The Core is
directed by an experienced pathologist with expertise on molecular biology and advanced instrumentation for
high-definition analysis of fixed and living cells and tissues. In the Second Aim “to augment microscopic
analyses of tissue and cellular structure and function,” the Core staffs three laboratories with highly qualified
technicians or directors in three complementary laboratories: 1) Research Pathology Laboratory, focusing on
histochemical, immunostaining, and electron microscopy analysis of cells and tissues; 2) Live Microscopy
Laboratory that specializes in 2-photon-based confocal microscopy of live cells and tissues; and 3) Confocal
Imaging Laboratory, with a superb infrastructure for high-end confocal microscopy. In the Third Aim “to
ensure quality control, cost efficiency, and technology transfer,” the Core implements a quality assurance
program related to reliability of reagents, well-functioning instruments, user safety, proper hands-on-training,
and streamlined process for service requests. The Core has evolved with the acquisition of new
instrumentation, incorporation of artificial intelligence to deconvolute digital information and increase
the resolution of confocal microscopy, and collaboration with the Gene Analysis Core and the Biobank
to perform spatial sequencing. The Core also holds seminars and workshops as part of the Center
enrichment series with the goal to provide DHC investigators with practical reviews and analysis of the latest
technologies and assays, and to empower investigators to take advantage of the resources based on their
scientific needs. This management strategy and commitment to research excellence have resulted in large
utilization of services and have been linked to a high scientific output in peer-reviewed original
publications that are relevant to digestive disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10848309
- **Project number:** 5P30DK078392-18
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathryn Ann Wikenheiser-Brokamp
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $135,832
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-08-01 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10848309

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10848309, Integrative Morphology Core (5P30DK078392-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10848309. Licensed CC0.

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