# S10 Shared Instrument Grant - Leica Aperio Digital Scanner GT450

> **NIH NIH S10** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $477,043

## Abstract

This application is requesting funds to purchase the Aperio™ GT-450 digital pathology slide
scanner from Leica Biosystems. The requested instrumentation will be located in the Pathology
and Biobanking Core of the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine
(BCM). The predominant use of the Aperio scanner will be research-based whole slide imaging
(WSI) and analysis of patient specimens, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cancer models, and
pre-clinical investigations on various animal- and cell-line model systems. All user projects have
large sample cohorts that require high throughput, high-resolution scanning and image
analysis. High capacity and improved scanning with dynamic focusing makes the GT-450
microscope scanner well-suited and the most cost-effective for use in the proposed projects.
An underlying theme in the studies selected for Aperio scanner-supported services integrates
novel biomarker and molecular pathway discovery with spatial morphological characterization,
a necessary process to investigate heterogeneity in disease states. This instrument leverages
high-throughput scanning capability with open-source, fully customizable machine-learning
analytics to meet the evolving needs of investigators at Baylor College of Medicine, in particular
faculty groups studying mechanisms of cancer cell dynamics and the development of new
therapeutic targets. Expansion of systems biology and precision medicine research is an
essential component of the college’s strategic roadmap. The Aperio GT-450 is critically needed
as we modernize our laboratory offerings and capabilities; the acquisition of this digital scanner
will strengthen existing research programs underway and establish new, collaborative research
opportunities and directions within Baylor College of Medicine and surrounding institutions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9940426
- **Project number:** 1S10OD028671-01
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** George Miles
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $477,043
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9940426

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9940426, S10 Shared Instrument Grant - Leica Aperio Digital Scanner GT450 (1S10OD028671-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9940426. Licensed CC0.

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