# Core C:  Experimental Models

> **NIH NIH P01** · CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU · 2024 · $531,423

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY 
The Experimental Models Core is responsible for curation, tracking, quality control, and distribution of all 
glioblastoma (GBM) animal models (patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, PDX-derived organoids, syngeneic 
mouse and genetically engineered mice) for experimental studies in all Projects and biospecimens from humans 
for validation across multiple institutions. The Core will also be responsible for the generation of organoids from 
these models, for two-photon in vivo imaging of tumors in mice, and for single cell and spatial transcriptomics as 
technology resources for the P01. A suite of >180 PDX GBM models and >5 syngeneic mouse models with 
genomic profiling (DNA, RNA sequencing) are available for hypothesis testing by the projects. Human specimens 
to confirm findings from mouse models will help validate sex differences, albeit the innate heterogeneity across 
human patients compared to mouse models is a caveat. The core strengthens the projects and the P01 by 
coordinating the distribution of models for experimental studies in which the sex of the tumor cells are 
characterized via sex gene-specific PCR and sex chromosome karyotyping. The goals of the Experimental 
Models Core will be accomplished through the following specific aims: 1) To create, organize, and maintain 
infrastructure, then deploy syngeneic and genetically engineered mouse glioma models, patient-derived 
xenograft GBM models, short-term GBM cultures and organoids, providing high-quality, scientifically relevant 
biospecimens to P01 investigators using standardized collection, quality control, storage/tracking and distribution 
under approved IACUC guidelines, and 2) To make high-quality, scientifically-relevant clinical biospecimens 
available to the P01 investigators through continued efforts and innovations in standardized collection, quality 
control (including centralized neuro pathology review), storage/tracking and distribution under proper human 
subject (OHRP) regulatory guidelines using secure, readily accessible databases. A decided benefit of the 
Experimental Models Core is the coordination and visibility of shared use of models across all Projects, with 
shared quality control, batch (or passage) effects, growth characteristics, genomic profiling, and cross-Project 
data sharing from the experimental outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10881807
- **Project number:** 5P01CA245705-05
- **Recipient organization:** CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL E. BERENS
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $531,423
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-14 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10881807

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10881807, Core C:  Experimental Models (5P01CA245705-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10881807. Licensed CC0.

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