Epithelial Cell and Mucosal Immunology Core

The Epithelial Cell and Mucosal Immunology Core (Core C) provides the infrastructure, biologic resources, expertise, and training for innovative and cross-disciplinary research on the cellular, immune, microbial, and neurobiology of mucosal surfaces lining the alimentary tract. This includes the specialized and workhorse biomedical infrastructure that support and amplify research in the fields of epithelial cell biology (junction, solute and protein transport, and membrane protein and lipid trafficking), innate and mucosal immunity, ER stress, developmental and stem cell biology of the intestine, and mucosal inflammation. The Core provides technologies that support HDDC members working in all major research areas of the Center. Specific activities and services include: · Analytical Flow Cytometry · Cell Sorting and Single Cell Seq · Metabolic analysis of live cells – O2 consumption and extracellular acidification rates · Expression Profiling (and Single Cell RNA isolation technology) · Intestinal and Colonic Organoids and Polarized Epithelial Cell Culture · Specialized Services for Cellular, Molecular, and Biochemical Analysis (restricted access) o Recombinant Protein Expression, Purification, and Characterization o Peptide/small molecule Chemistry, Bioconjugation, and Analysis o Transepithelial Electrophysiology of live cells, cell monolayers, and tissues o Multimode Cell function analysis – fluorescence, absorbance, luminescence, and others o Mouse colonoscope o Single Cell Seq – expression profiling o Deep NextGen Sequencing · Research and Development of new Technologies and Core Resources · Teaching Established and Young Investigators in Core technologies A total of 36 HDDC Principle Members, 5 Affiliate Members and 8 Mentored Faculty used Core C in the last 4 yrs of the current grant cycle (2015 – 2019 as measured in billable hours of service. 12 HDDC Members used Core C services in every quarter. The Core recorded 5388 billable hours/year. 168 original research papers were published using Core C (primary) resources. 55 Members and Associate Members anticipate use of Core C in the next grant cycle. All services will be utilized.