Project Details
Projekt
Central Project - Biobanking - In Vivo Imaging - Pathology
Subject Area
Gastroenterology
Term
since 2017
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 329116008
Central project – BiobankingIn the first funding period, the Marburg Biobank CBBMR was responsible for setting up a project biobank for human bio-samples. In cooperation with our clinical partners a workflow was developed to enable a fast and quality-controlled acquisition of pancreatic tissue and corresponding blood samples. In parallel, clinical data including diagnoses and procedures of recruited patients automatically retrieved from the local tumor documentation system were documented in the Biobank Information System. Up to now n=114 patients could be recruited for biobank donation. Out of these, n=91 patients were finally diagnosed with a ductal pancreatic tumor. We provided n=745 slides of FFPE-samples, N=201 slides derived from four tissue-micro-arrays and one block of fresh-frozen samples from each for further analyses. In the following funding period we will expand the project biobank by recruiting additional n=190 patients. Based on an amended ethical vote we will expand the matrices collected within biobank by building up a stool- and organoid bank as well as a blood DNA library. Central Project – Z-ImagingThe central project will provide further on advanced in-vivo imaging techniques (Z-Imaging). One important part will stay the small animal ultrasound with other questions and priorities. After a successful start of intravital imaging of pancreatic cancer cells with environmental cells (cytotoxic T cells, stellate cells, NK cells) in the dorsal skinfold chamber model, this will be continued in the second funding period. Additionally to classical imaging methods (confocal, widefield and spinning disk) it will be possible to follow the development of tumor organoids (human and mouse) upon treatment with compounds or interaction with immune cells over time by light sheet microcopy. Again, standardization efforts are implemented to ensure constant high-quality ultrasound measurements, animal handling during in vivo imaging and microscopy of tumor organoids.Central Project – Z-PathoZ-Patho will provide histological and pathological expertise to members of the CRU. Specifically, CRU members can get support in human and mouse tissue stainings and the subsequent digitization (slide scanner) as well as the final interpretation of results. Additionally to new FFPE samples of Z-biobanking, retrospective FFPE samples of the archive of pathology will be included. Based on the EdgeSeq method clinical FFPE samples are used to analyze mRNA expression. Expertise is also given for planning and biostatistical validation of protein and RNA markers in clinical cohorts.
DFG Programme
Clinical Research Units
