# Skin Stem Cell Imaging and Manipulation Core (SCIM)

> **NIH NIH P30** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $274,194

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The Stem Cell Isolation and Manipulation Core (SCIM) was established to facilitate skin-related research by
providing a platform that allows access to state-of-the-art experimental human and rodent skin model systems
at the tissue, cellular and molecular level. The SCIM was specifically designed as resource to support a
translational-based pipeline to facilitate skin disease studies that is able to bridge basic science with
translational models. As such, SCIM services will be tailored to the needs of each investigator in a manner that
is highly responsive to the Precision Medicine directive and the NIAMS mission. For tissue analysis, the SCIM
provides a wide array of histological; immunohistochemical; and molecular-based tools to characterize gross
and microscopic morphology, functional features, and gene expression in skin of mutant and genetically
engineered laboratory animals. The SCIM is also dedicated to assisting Center investigators in the isolation,
propagation and manipulation of primary skin cells and in analysis of genes related to skin diseases by efficient
and systematic generation of transgenic tissue models of skin that show either transgene overexpression or
suppression. The SCIM is equipped with special technical expertise that includes extensive knowledge of skin
and hair follicle morphology essential for understanding the genotype/phenotype correlations; state of the art
methods for gene expression studies specifically designed for mouse and human skin and cells; and
possession of a battery of original experimental approaches to the study of skin physiology in vivo. The SCIM
will also provide Center investigators with proof reading and suggestions for Materials & Methods sections for
publications and applications for extramural research funding utilizing skin and cellular analyses. Finally, the
SCIM provides several new areas of innovation to Center investigators. In utero gene targeting using RNAi and
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated skin cell knockouts will be offered to epiCURE investigators. Tissue specimens of
human normal and diseased skin will be provided to epiCURE investigators upon request with the hopes of
enriching the interactions between Dermatopathologists and epiCURE basic scientists. In an effort to broaden
the appeal of the SCIM within the Columbia research community, we have enhanced our repertoire of skin
stem cell services including: in vitro and in vivo functional stem cell assays and induced pluripotent stem cell
production from human skin cells; and three-dimensional imaging platforms specialized for whole skin. Overall,
we feel the SCIM provides a comprehensive catalog of experimental technical expertise and knowledge of skin
biology that will fully support the skin-related research of Center investigators, increase clinician-researcher
interactions and reduce research costs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9984280
- **Project number:** 5P30AR069632-05
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** David Michael Owens
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $274,194
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9984280

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9984280, Skin Stem Cell Imaging and Manipulation Core (SCIM) (5P30AR069632-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9984280. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*