# Core C: Pathology and Immunobiology Core

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $119,424

## Abstract

Core C: Pathology - Abstract
The UNC Breast SPORE Pathology and Immunobiology Core (PIC) supports and enhances cancer-related
translational, clinical, population and basic science research. The PIC provides SPORE participants with a
centralized, coordinated, quality-controlled, quality-assured facility for the procurement, processing, storage,
and distribution of human biologic specimens. This facility also acts as the conduit for access to tissues from
multiple other groups (UNC-Rex Hospital, East Carolina Brody School of Medicine) and shared resources
(Pathology Services Core, Office of Clinical Trials and Research (OCTR), Immune Monitoring and Genomics
Facility). The centralized collection services offered by the Core result in a smooth and seamless process for
the banking of human tissues and blood for SPORE investigators using clinical specimens for correlative,
molecular, immunological, translational, and epidemiological cancer research.
Breast cancer-specific efforts that have and will support SPORE aims include centralized tissue and specimen
banking, receipt and processing of breast-related human specimens including: freshly procured, snap-frozen
and formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) block specimens, preparation of tissue microarrays (TMAs), cell
microarrays, morphological evaluation and morphology-based assays (immunohistochemistry,
immunofluorescence, in-situ hybridization, and fluorescence in-situ hybridization), assay development &
training, immunogenetics, flow-cytometry, and digital imaging and image analysis for spatial quantification of
molecular analytes in intact specimens. Project # 1, CBCS, has used the Core for over two decades with
ascertainment of tumor samples from hospitals across North Carolina, demonstrating consistent success with
CBCS tumor block accrual of over 95%. Projects #2, #3, and #4 will specifically use the Core to track samples
from clinical trials with special provisions for obtaining fresh tissue in protocol-specific procedures. Additional
support for Projects #2, #3, and #4 will include procurement of fresh tissue from human and PDX samples to
flow sort cells for assays and the identification of regions of interest in tumors and the tumor microenvironment
for spatial transcriptomic analysis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10935479
- **Project number:** 2P50CA058223-29A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** BENJAMIN CARLISLE CALHOUN
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $119,424
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-08-05 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10935479

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10935479, Core C: Pathology and Immunobiology Core (2P50CA058223-29A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10935479. Licensed CC0.

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