# Molecular Pathology and Imaging Core (MPIC)

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $170,625

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY (MPIC)
The Molecular Pathology and Imaging Core (MPIC) is a unique entity at the University of Pennsylvania and
provides tremendous service, resources, expertise, and efficiency for investigators of the Center for Molecular
Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases (CMSDLD). MPIC has specific expertise in the processing and analysis
of all tissues and cells, including gastrointestinal organoids, that are relevant to CMSDLD investigators and
houses specialized microscopes, reagents, and equipment essential for the research of CMSDLD investigators;
no resource with similar expertise exists on the Penn campus or in nearby institutions. In addition, by providing
cost-effective approaches, MPIC is particularly beneficial to Pilot and Feasibility awardees, who receive
subsidies for MPIC services, and junior investigators/Associate Members, many of whom do not yet have
independent funding. Established in 1995 as part of a Program Project grant, MPIC expanded in 1997 to serve
CMSDLD investigators and, since its inception, has been heavily utilized and extremely successful, serving as
a model core facility for numerous other Centers and Program Projects at the University of Pennsylvania and
throughout the country. MPIC is a key component of the CMSDLD, providing essential, routine services as well
as cutting edge technologies to CMSDLD investigators. Currently comprising more than 1,000 square feet on
the 9th floor of BRBII/III, MPIC is led by an experienced Director, a highly-trained Technical Director, and skilled
and knowledgeable staff. By integrating with the other CMSDLD Cores, as well as other cores and resources
on campus such as Next-Generation Sequencing Core and central Tier 1 Microscopy Core of the Perelman
School of Medicine and the expert pathologists of the Comparative Pathology Core at the University of
Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, MPIC dramatically expands the services available to CMSDLD
investigators. Notably, since the last competitive renewal of this application, MPIC has incorporated and
integrated new services and technologies, including Visium Spatial Transcriptomics and automated RNAscope
on the core’s Leica Bond RXm autostainer. Additionally, MPIC promotes new collaborations and research
directions among its users. Overall, MPIC serves the CMSDLD by pursuing the following two interrelated
Specific Aims: (1) To enhance the efficiency and productivity of CMSDLD investigators by providing specialized
technical resources, services, and expertise in histology, pathology, and histologic imaging of the digestive tract,
liver, and pancreas; and (2) To integrate new technologies that advance research and discovery for studies of
digestive, liver, and pancreatic diseases by both surveying and anticipating the needs of CMSDLD investigators.
As such, MPIC provides exceptional utility, quality, value, experience, service, and commitment to the CMSDLD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10889062
- **Project number:** 5P30DK050306-28
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** JONATHAN P KATZ
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $170,625
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-07-01 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10889062

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10889062, Molecular Pathology and Imaging Core (MPIC) (5P30DK050306-28). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10889062. Licensed CC0.

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