# Molecular Pathology Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · SANFORD RESEARCH/USD · 2020 · $270,389

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Molecular Pathology Core (MPC) was established through funding provided by the NIH COBRE Grant –
1P20RR024219-01A2 in October 2011. The primary role of the MPC is to provide histology support and
expertise in pathology for the laboratories of Sanford Research. Dedicated laboratory space has been
established and equipment has been procured, including a tissue processor, embedder, Ventana Benchmark
XT automatic IHC/ISH slide stainer, a cryostat and several microtomes. Claire Evans, HT(ASCP) was hired in
2011 to manage the MPC, and she is a certified histologist who has over 9 years of experience with tissue
processing, embedding, sectioning and staining techniques. In July 2014, the MPC hired a full-time dedicated
Research Associate, Emily Grandprey, to work with our histologist in the Core to ensure expeditious service.
The major services provided by the MPC are processing and embedding tissues, sectioning of paraffin-
embedded and frozen tissues, hematoxylin/eosin staining of tissue sections, immunohistochemistry (IHC), in
situ hybridization analysis, specialty stains and scoring of stained slides, as needed. To provide a
comprehensive approach to cancer pathophysiology, the MPC will be offering assistance with live, small
animal imaging, including fluorescent, luminescent, radioisoptopic, X-ray and high frequency ultra sound
modalities. Amanda Schaefer, Research Associate, has extensive experience with imagining techniques and
will join the staff of the Core to assist investigators with imaging services. The MPC has been fully operational
since January 2012. Since that time, 18 laboratories, encompassing 4 research centers, have used the Core.
We propose that the Molecular Pathology Core will continue to support the goals of the Cancer Biology
Research Center Project Leaders, as well as other investigators at Sanford Research, with access to prompt,
customized, in-house histology services. A fee structure will be established to ensure the Core can be self-
sustained after grant support has ended.
Aim 1: Continue to support the histology needs of the CoBRE Project Leaders and investigators at
Sanford Research. The MPC provides investigators at Sanford Research with on-site histology services that
decrease sample processing time and allows direct communication between the investigators and Core staff.
Aim 2: Provide assistance with project design, manuscript preparation and funding applications. MPC
staff meets with investigators to discuss project design and provides detailed descriptions of protocols used.
Aim 3: Expand techniques to include fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and tissue microarrays
(TMA). FISH will be used to determine whether a gene is amplified in cancer cells. TMAs will allow for
numerous different tissue samples to be analyzed by immunohistochemistry on one slide.
Aim 4: Develop a sustainable Molecular Pathology Core fee structure. A fee structure will be established
to ensure that investigators at...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9985849
- **Project number:** 5P20GM103548-10
- **Recipient organization:** SANFORD RESEARCH/USD
- **Principal Investigator:** KRISTI A EGLAND
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $270,389
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-09-02 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9985849

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9985849, Molecular Pathology Core (5P20GM103548-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9985849. Licensed CC0.

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