# Pathology and Tissue Informatics Core

> **NIH NIH P50** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $260,901

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: PATHOLOGY AND TISSUE INFORMATICS CORE
The Pathology and Tissue Informatics Core (PTIC) combines a centralized mechanism for expert tissue handling
services and performance of tissue-based assays by highly qualified, experienced personnel with a state-of-the-
art integrated informatics infrastructure which provides tools for 1) scheduling and tracking specimen collection,
2) histopathological and clinical annotation of acquired samples including virtual slide images and 3) maintaining
linkage of genomic and other resultant translational data generated by Projects 1 through 4 proposed in this
renewal with these samples. The PTIC will consent, collect, de-identify, process, bank and distribute annotated,
high-quality breast tumor, blood and urine samples from patients participating in SPORE clinical trials and/or
enrolled in the Vanderbilt Breast Tissue/Body Fluids Repository protocol, while protecting patient confidentiality
by de-identification of specimens upon distribution. The PITC will provide investigators with specialized technical
and interpretative histology services including expertise in developing, performing and evaluating
immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays, TIL assessments, tissue Q/A
and preparation for nucleic acid extraction for sequencing-based assays and oversight on optimal utilization of
each sample. Partnering of tissue services and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) Research Informatics
Shared Resource (RISR) unifies the expertise required to create the Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Atlas
Collaborative, a unique resource focused on TNBC cases interrogated in this renewal as well as prior SPORE
grant cycles, that integrates translational data generated in multiple systems into a comprehensive resource of
over 500 TNBC cases with subsequent local and public dissemination for secondary use of research data
including submission to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Project GENIE and NCI
Genomic Data Commons (GDC).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9984310
- **Project number:** 5P50CA098131-18
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** MELINDA ELLEN SANDERS
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $260,901
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2003-08-07 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9984310

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9984310, Pathology and Tissue Informatics Core (5P50CA098131-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9984310. Licensed CC0.

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