Core B: Tissue, Histology and Imaging Core

PROJECT SUMMARY – TISSUE/HISTOLOGY/IMAGING CORE (CORE B)
The Tissue/Histology/Imaging Core (Core B) of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (HCC) HN SPORE is
responsible for the acquisition and processing of biospecimens and computed tomography (CT) scans for HN
SPORE-sponsored projects. Core B is co-led by Drs. Raja Seethala, Simion Chiosea and Rivka Colen, with
Dr. Colen specifically recruited to bring imaging and radiomics expertise to the HN SPORE. Core B will
continue to work with surgeons and coordinators to facilitate the acquisition and efficient use of head and
squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) biospecimens and provide specialized histologic evaluation of these
tissues for the SPORE research projects and developmental programs. As previously, Core B is responsible
for collection, triage, processing and distribution or storage of specimen and tissue histopathology, tissue
microarray generation, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and interpretation. However, Core B’s function has
expanded to facilitating multiple “-omics”-based analysis, including whole exome and transcriptome
sequencing, single cell RNA sequencing, single-cell Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin
Sequencing, NanoString digital spatial (DSP) profiling, multi-parameter flow cytometry, and multi-spectral
fluorescent imaging. Additionally, as part of Core B’s expanding capabilities, standard of care CT images for
HNSCC patients can now be easily acquired, processed with extraction and analysis of radiomics features in
the service of HN SPORE-sponsored research. Information derived from Core B will freely flow to Core C for
additional analysis, with key variables and information linked to the organ specific database (OSD) in Core A,
a detailed, searchable repository of over 12,000 HNSCC patients. The overarching goal of Core B is to provide
and facilitate the testing of clinically derived data to achieve the goals of the HN SPORE and improve the lives
of patients suffering from HNSCC.

Grant Number: 5P50CA097190-19
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Diana Bell