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.