Pulmonary Immunopathology Core (PIP)

The Center for Lung Biology and Disease (CLBD) at Louisiana State University (LSU) aims to elucidate the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of life-threatening respiratory diseases, including those resulting from infectious (bacterial, viral) and non-infectious stimuli (e.g., environmental, cigarette, e-cigarette aerosols). The Pulmonary Immunopathology Core (PIPC) offers expertise and technical support for investigators in the COBRE program. During Phase I, the PIPC provided equipment, facilities, and specialized training for COBRE Promising Junior Investigators (PJIs; i.e., Research Project Leads) in pulmonary immunopathological techniques. The core has already assisted six PJls, ten Pilot Project Investigators, and other NIH-funded investigators to successfully pursue their research objectives resulting in high impact peer-reviewed publications and successful NIH funding. The establishment of this core has facilitated productive collaboration among investigators and members of the biomedical research community in Louisiana. This core has also educated undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, summer scholars (DVM students) in the application of and the current advances in pulmonary immunology through lectures, laboratory classes, and workshops. During Phase II, the PIPC will continue to meet two specific aims: Aim 1. To provide the COBRE and other biomedical investigators with resources on comprehensive immunopathological assessments for mice, including instrumentation, technical support and consultation. Aim 2. To educate faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students regarding the application and the current advances in immunopathological assessments for mice. To ensure the success of the COBRE in Lung Biology and Disease COBRE PJIs, the continued operation of the PIPC is essential to meet the current and future needs of LSU and other institutions because this is the only PIPC in the state of Louisiana. In Phase II, the PIPC will provide required capabilities to measure the immunopathological outcomes of infectious and non-infectious inflammation in mice, will facilitate the measurement of immunological, pathological endpoints of project-specific parameters, and will streamline tasks to maximize efficiency, productivity, benefits, and economy.