Cores Day 2024 Participating Core Facilities

Please note the event will be split into morning (10-12:15) and afternoon sessions (12:45-3), with participating cores changing over during lunch (12:15-12:45).

Event Map & Live Talk Schedule

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Abramson Cancer Center Electronic Phenotyping Resource- RRID:SCR_022715 (PSOM)

The Electronic Phenotyping Resource (EPR) is a shared resource of the Abramson Cancer Center dedicated to unlocking the power of electronic health records for clinical and translational research in cancer care.

Abigail Doucette, MPH
Technical Director
abigail.doucette@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 19

Animal Model Core New Bolton Center - RRID:SCR_022435 (Penn Vet)

The Institute for Medical Translation New Bolton Center is an ecosystem for multidisciplinary collaboration and the mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students in veterinary surgery and the translational sciences. The central theme of our activities focuses on “Musculoskeletal Tissue Injury and Repair”. This theme is broad as 1) it includes all musculoskeletal tissue types, such as bone, cartilage, disc, ligament, meniscus, muscle, and tendon, 2) it is also focused as it takes advantage of commonalities in approaches across tissue types and 3) it is clinically significant as it fosters development of assays, procedures and knowledge in preclinical animal and human models of translational relevance. This “multidisciplinary ecosystem” and has emerged as a recognized home for translational research using large animal models across the Penn campus as a technical and intellectual resource for the broader Philadelphia community and beyond. Studies start as small proof of concept studies progressing all the way to IND/IDE enabling studies (GLP) in support of regulatory submissions or we lead and help develop and submit grants with translational relevance on collaborative submissions to federal funding agencies (nsf, nih, dod).

Thomas Schaer, VMD
Director
tpschaer@vet.upenn.edu

Table Number: 7
Live Presentation: 1:40-1:45

Aquatic Zebrafish Core (CHOP)

The Zebrafish Core offers all resources for zebrafish research and provides fish husbandry. We design and perform experiments, teach zebrafish techniques and advice and support researchers. Our special expertise is disease modeling, analysis of disease phenotypes, and drug testing.

Christoph Seiler, PhD
Core Director
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
1102B Abramson Research Center
3615 Civic Center Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19104
seilerc@chop.edu

Table Number: 5

Bioinformatics Core (Wistar)

The Wistar Bioinformatics Facility continuously develops new and efficient approaches to data analysis as a response to emerging research needs. Facility functions include: statistical analyses and computational modeling for all types of high-throughput data, advanced bioinformatics tools for integrative cancer biology, and data management.

Andrew Kossenkov, PhD
Managing Director
akossenkov@wistar.org

Table Numbers 1 & 2
12:45-1:45PM

Bioinformatics Core Facility (BIC) - RRID:SCR_022374 (PSOM)

The Bioinformatics Core (BIC) of the Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI) provides professional bioinformatics services that include data analysis and consultation to the University of Pennsylvania Biomedical research community. The BIC is dedicated to analyze various Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data, generated locally within NGSC and also elsewhere.

Taehyong Kim, PhD
Director
taehyong@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 23

Biomedical Research Support (Wistar)

The Wistar Biomedical Research Support Core (BRSC) provides a robust infrastructure to support mechanistic, patient-oriented research. The BRSC manages the resource commitment associated with clinical studies, including supporting compliance with regulatory directives governing research in Human Subjects. This includes data collection, storage and extraction, data quality control, site monitoring, regulatory reporting, and connection with statistical teams for data analysis. Services include phlebotomy, tissue microarrays, collection of pathological specimens and support for clinical studies.

Livio Azzoni, PhD, MD
Managing Director
azzoni@wistar.org

Table Numbers: 1 & 2
12:45-1:45PM

BioRepository Resource Center - BioRC (CHOP)

The Biorepository Resource Center (BioRC) improves the breadth and access to bio-banked specimens and information resources across the CHOP community of investigators. With a capacity for approximately 2 million to 3 million samples, the facility serves CHOP’s biobanking needs, avoiding specimen duplication, preserving precious materials, and providing organized data and materials. The BioRC operates under the following principles: An Operational Committee, which coordinates central and investigator-specific biobanking resources and programs at CHOP, governs and approves requests to utilize the BioRC; BioRC facilitates integration and enhancement of access to information about biorepository specimens and resources; BioRC assists investigators in developing new projects that require the collection and processing of shareable samples not currently available, or helps investigators with existing projects who would like to migrate storage and management of their shareable banked specimens and data to the BioRC. BioRC institutes and follows best-practice standard procedures for collection, processing, and storage of samples to ensure high quality specimens and data for all CHOP investigators.

Paula Oliver, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Chair, BioRepository Operational Committee
paulao@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Robert Perkinson, PhD
Technical Director
perkinsonr@chop.edu

Susan Jones
Lab Manager
joness23@chop.edu

Rich Tustin
BioRC- SPU Lab Manager
tustinr@chop.edu

Michael Kelly, MS
Data Integration Manager
KellyM11@chop.edu

Carrie Coleman-Campbell, MS
Project/Program Manager
colemanc@chop.edu

Core Facility Email: BioRC@chop.edu

Table Number: 7

Biostatistics Analysis Center (BAC) - RRID:SCR_022393 (PSOM)

The BAC is a University of Pennsylvania service center offered by the Perelman School of Medicine's Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Staffed by professionally trained biostatisticians, the BAC provides a wide range of consulting and analytical services to the University's biomedical research community.

Scott Appel, MS
Co-Director, Senior Triage & Consulting Manager
appelsc@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Janine Pritchard
Assistant Project Manager
jpritcha@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 24

CAG Biorepository Core (CHOP)

Established in 2006, the CAG Biorepository is one of the world’s largest and most diverse pediatric biobanks, hosting more than 600,000 biological samples that have been genotyped or sequenced in CAG’s CLIA and CAP-accredited high-throughput centers. This core offers services in DNA and RNA extraction and QC.

James Snyder
Laboratory Manager
snyder3@chop.edu

Table Number: 5

CAG Genotyping Core (CHOP)

Established in 2006, the CAG Genotyping Laboratory is fully equipped with state-of-art liquid handling technology and experienced staff members. The CAG genotyping core offers both standard and custom array project design. With the capacity to process >2300 samples/week and generate >480 million genotypes per day, the genotyping core fully integrates with our Biorepository and Bioinformatics group, offering the collaborator the opportunity for a seamless experience from DNA extraction to data release.

Maria Lemma
Laboratory Manager
garrism@chop.edu

Table Number: 5

CAG Sequencing Core (CHOP)

Established in 2012, the CAG Sequencing Laboratory is fully equipped with state-of-art technology and experienced staff members. Sequencing operations are integrated with our Biorepository and Bioinformatics teams to keep all stages of a collaborator’s studies connected. The CAG sequencing lab offers cutting edge technologies in the Genomics field: Novaseq, Single Cell 10xGenomics, Bionano, Fluidigm confirmation, Sanger Sequencing (including fragment analysis).

Jonathan Billings
Laboratory Manager
billingsj@chop.edu

Table Number: 5

CDB Microscopy Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022373 (PSOM)

The Cell & Developmental Biology (CDB) Microscopy Core is located in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Our facility houses thirteen light microscopes, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and three image analysis workstations. We are open to the entire University of Pennsylvania community as well as to researchers from other institutions and companies in the area. Our services include assisted imaging sessions, in-depth training on our microscopes, and consultation on sample preparation or image analysis.

Andrea Stout, PhD
Director
astout@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Jasmine Zhao
Light Microscopy Specialist
xinyu2@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Yuri Veklich
SEM Specialist
yuri@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

AJ Lucy
ajamie@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 16

Cell & Animal Radiation Core Facility (CARC) - RRID:SCR_022377 (PSOM)

The CARC provides “turn-key” services to users for performing precision, image-guided radiotherapy with both Photons and Protons (the latter including FLASH radiotherapy) on cells, explant tissues, rodent models and canine patients.

Shiva Shahrampour, PhD
Technical Director
shiva.shahrampour@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 14
Live Presentation: 1:30-1:35

Cell Center Services - RRID:SCR_022391 (PSOM)

The Cell Center Services Facility provides training and services in various cell culture and associated procedures to University of Pennsylvania investigators including: Cell Culture Training, Cell Culture Services including Large Scale Cell Culture, Hybridoma Cell Culture with Antibody Purification, Mammalian Cell Transfection.

Tapan Ganguly, PhD
Director
gangulyt@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Sabine Baxter
Technical Manager
baxters@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 4

Cell Center Stockroom - RRID:SCR_022399 (PSOM)

The Cell Center Stockroom serves University of Pennsylvania investigators and affiliate institutions by coordinating relations with various suppliers of molecular biological research materials. This involves not only bulk purchasing of these products, but the negotiation of discounts and convenient delivery arrangements. There are over 1,100 products on-site for immediate delivery in the Stockroom. Special ordering of non-regularly stocked products is available from 28 bioreagent vendors with discounted pricing and sometimes overnight delivery.

Joshua Varrone
Assistant Manager
jvarrone@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 4

Center for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging & Spectroscopy (CAMRIS) - RRID:SCR_022398 (PSOM)

The Center for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy (CAMRIS) is a Radiology research core at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. Our mission is to provide oversight in the responsible use and application of Magnetic Resonance (MR) in research at Penn. CAMRIS oversees eight state-of-the-art whole-body MR scanners and proudly serves a diverse community of internal Penn Medicine groups and external collaborators conducting innovative human and animal research.

Elyse Salek, MSEd
Administrative Director
elyse.salek@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 17

Center for Human Phenomic Science (CHPS) RRID:SCR_022402 (PSOM)

The goal of the CHPS is to provide the resources, environment, operations, and training to support and promote high-quality clinical and translational research by qualified investigators.

Carl Shaw, Med, MBE
shawcarl@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Tracey Caputo, ML, CPA
tracey.caputo@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Jessica Lenzo, PHP, BSN, RN, OCN
jessica.lenzo@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 28

CHAMP 3D Core

The CHAMP lab aims to meet the needs and innovate in medical additive manufacturing and engineering by offering engineering support to research work with a central focus on achieving PIGS (Paper, Intercultural Properties, Grants, and Services).

Elizabeth Silvestro, MSE
CHAMP Lab Manager & 3D Team Lead
Children's Hospital Additive Manufacturing for Pediatrics (CHAMP 3D) Labs
silvestro@chop.edu

Websites: https://chop.ilab.agilent.com/sc/5561/champ-3d, https://www.chop.edu/services/children-s-hospital-additive-manufacturing-pediatrics-champ-3d-lab

Table Number: 17

CHOP Biobank (CHOP)

The CHOP Biobank is a disease-agnostic, institute-wide biobank that has been established to provide a robust biorepository of biospecimens and associated medical data for the CHOP collaborative research community.

Kate Driesbaugh, PhD
Manager, CHOP Biobank
driesbaugk@chop.edu

Biobank Contact
biobank@chop.edu

Table Number: 7

CHOP Microbiome Center (CHOP)

The CHOP Microbiome Center is the sequencing and analytical resource of the PennCHOP Microbiome Program, providing end-to-end solutions for microbiome research. Our sequencing lab offers expertise in next-generation DNA sequencing for microbiome studies, working with customers to provide optimized workflows and protocols customized for each study. Our analytical lab provides expertise in bioinformatics and statistical analysis of microbiome data. We develop an analytical plan specific to your project and can integrate microbiome data with other data sources, such as metabolomics or dietary intake information.

Ahmed Moustafa, PhD
Sequencing Director
moustafaam@chop.edu

Mistura Faro
Resource Coordinator II
farom@chop.edu

Table Number: 33

CHOP Research Institute Research Information Services (CHOP)

The Research Information Services (RIS) Department consists of several teams providing expert advice alongside innovative and effective technology-based solutions to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Research Institute.

Nick Kight
RIS Outreach Manager
kightn@chop.edu

Table Number: 21
Live Presentation: 12:30-12:35

CHOP Transgenic Core (CHOP)

When it comes to using a mouse or rat genome to study human disease, you need to have the best experimental model available to advance your research and propel discovery. That’s where we come in. The Transgenic Core at Children’s Hospital Research Institute, working in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania CRISPR Core Facility, can build complex mouse and rat models, genetically manipulating the mouse and rat genome to meet your specific research needs utilizing cutting-edge and classical genetic engineering approaches.

The Transgenic Core is a service sponsored by the CHOP Research Institution to enable investigators to drive cutting edge basic and bench-to-bedside research. The Mission of the Core is to provide a cost-effective fast method for the generation and preservation of genetically altered mice or rats for the research community. Please visit the Transgenic Core table for more information about the services we offer, we look forward to meeting you.

Adele Harman
Technical Director
harmana@chop.edu

Table Number: 5

CHOP-Penn Proteomics Core Facility (CHOP/PSOM)

The Proteomics Core facility specializes in bottom-up, mass spectrometry-based proteomics with a commitment to quality, rigor, problem-solving, and innovation. Our goal is to provide expert guidance to the scientific community on optimizing the use of this technique for answering biological questions and to generate top-tier mass spectrometry-based proteomics datasets.

Lynn Spruce
Technical Director
spruce@chop.edu

Table Number: 28
Live Presentation: 10:50-10:55

Clinical In Vivo Gene Therapy Core (CHOP)

Led by experts with more than 10 years of gene therapy clinical trial experience, the CIGT team aims to offer more breakthrough therapies to our patients sooner, by streamlining the startup of complex gene therapy trials and ensuring licensed gene therapies are available in our clinics.

Julianne LaRosa, MPH
Clinical Research Coordinator
larosaj1@chop.edu

Table Number: 29

Clinical Research Collaboration Unit (CRCU) - RRID:SCR_022404 (PSOM)

The Clinical Research Collaboration Unit (CRCU) is an Academic Clinical Research Organization within the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB) in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. For more than 20 years, the CRCU has been expertly providing the full range of services essential for the conduct of clinical research, including Phase I-IV, multi-center, randomized, clinical trials, registry, and cohort studies utilizing state-of-the-art technology and tools to ensure superior data quality. The CRCU provides expertise in project management, data coordination, and research computing tailored to meet your project requirements. We specialize in study design and development, site management and training, data collection, processing, and quality control, regulatory requirements and reporting, database development, administration, security, data storage and proposal development.

Lisa Wesby, MS
Associate Director
Project Operations & Compliance (POCO)
wesby@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Shawn Ballard, MS
Associate Director
Research Technologies (RT)
sballard@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Maria Blanco
mblanc@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 30
Live Presentation: 2:30-2:35

Community Engagement & Research Core (CEAR) - RRID:SCR_022408 (PSOM)

The mission of the CEAR Core is to facilitate community-based research and community engagement and enhance the translation of research and technological developments to key public health and community stakeholders. The CEAR Core is part of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), which is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and awarded jointly to the University of Pennsylvania and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The CEAR Core aims to build capacity for community-engaged research in the Penn community through providing links to relevant information and resources, training and seminars, consultation, and support for pilot research.

Krista Scheffey, MPH/MSW
Research Project Manager
krista.scheffey@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 22

Cooperative Human Tissue Network - CHTN - RRID:SCR_022407 (PSOM)

The Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) is an NIH/NCI funded resource to provide human tissues and fluids from routine procedures to investigators who utilize human biospecimens in their research. Unlike tissue banks, the CHTN works prospectively with each investigator to tailor specimen acquisition and processing to meet their specific project requirements. Through a prospective procurement model, the CHTN satisfies investigator requests with tissue collected specifically for the client’s protocol.

The CHTN's core mission is to serve the public good in fostering biomedical research by collecting and distributing high quality, well-characterized human biospecimens to the scientific community. Since 1987, the CHTN Eastern Division (CHTNED) at Penn has served over 850 researchers who would not otherwise have had access to the tissue that they needed for their work. CHTN provides well-characterized biospecimens to investigators working in the fields of neoplasia, autoimmune disease, degenerative diseases and aging. Research projects include utilization of techniques of molecular biology, immunobiology, proteomics, genomics, and investigations of mutations, nucleic acid chemistry, and microRNA in disease. This research conducted with CHTN specimens has resulted in a growing bibliography of over 3900 publications, 100 patents and 200 patent applications pending.

The CHTNED is administratively managed through the University of Pennsylvania' Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. The CHTNED administrative offices and laboratory are housed in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dee McGarvey, QBRS
Director, CHTN Eastern Division
dfitzsim@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 9

CRISPR/Cas9 Mouse Targeting Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022378 (PSOM)

The CRISPR-Cas9 mouse targeting core at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, has been operational since February 2017. Jorge HENAO-MEJIA has served as the Scientific Director, and Leonel JOANNAS as the Technical Director. The core is in the Institute for Immunology (IFI), and the Scientific and Technical Directors are part of the IFI. The mission of the CRISPR-Cas9 targeting core is to streamline procedures to facilitate the use of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology by the larger UPenn/CHOP community to generate novel mouse genetic tools rapidly and economically. This core has had a significant positive impact on the community. Researchers who work with mice and rats to model human diseases have enthusiastically taken up these tools. Projects that may have taken years using older techniques, such as examining the effects of disrupting several genes at once, generating point mutations, or inserting fluorescent proteins, now take just a couple of months. It is also easier to produce more subtle changes, like tweaking just a few DNA nucleotides in a gene in a way that simulates a variation found in humans. In addition, our R&D efforts in this area should enable UPenn/CHOP to remain at the forefront of this technology. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we can now generate pre-clinical mouse and rat models for research purposes in 3 to 4 weeks. Moreover, it allows us to generate models more closely mimic human diseases. Hence, this truly has been a revolution in biomedical research, and its impact is already observed in the clinics. We have already developed more than two hundred targeting strategies during our first two and a half years of operation. The CRISPR-Cas9 Mouse Targeting Core at Penn is a state-of-the-art facility with an outstanding record of accomplishment in producing genetically altered mice and rats for investigators at Penn and outside institutions, within and the state of Pennsylvania, as well as overseas.

Jorge Henao-Mejia, PhD
Scientific Director
jhena@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Leonel Joannas, PhD
Technical Director
ljoannas@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 6

Engineered mRNA and Targeted Nanomedicine Core - RRID:SCR_023665 (PSOM)

The Engineered mRNA and targeted nanomedicine core is designed to address the infrastructural barrier to clinical and translational research in gene therapy, vaccine development (cancer and infectious disease), stem cell reprogramming, and other non-viral gene therapy-based applications by providing high-quality in vitro transcribed messenger RNA (IVT-mRNA) and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The Engineered mRNA and targeted nanomedicine core support the ITMAT and PSOM faculty, ITMAT partner institutions, and members of the Center for Targeted Therapeutics and Translational Nanomedicine (CT3N). We currently offer the following services: Optimization and production of in vitro transcribed mRNA, Small- and large-scale production of sequence optimized in vitro transcribed mRNA, off the shelf in vitro transcribed mRNA encoding reporter genes (i.e. eGFP, mCherry, and Luc), or cancer antigens (i.e. OVA), encapsulation into proprietary (such as MC3, KC2) and non-proprietary lipid nanoparticles (such as DOTAP), surface modification of mRNA-LNPs for targeted delivery into specific tissues and cells, labelled mRNA (i.e. Cy 5.5), labelled -LNPs (such as DiL, DiO, DiI), and labelled mRNA-LNP (dual labelling) for nanoparticle tracking and microscopy.

Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, PhD
Core Co-Director
Mg.Alameh@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Garima Dwivedi, PhD
Core Manager
garima.dwivedi@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Core Contact Email
mRNACore_Orders@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 26

Enivronmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS)

The Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) promotes health, safety and environmental protection in teaching, research, health care and administrative activities by providing services, advice and compliance assistance.

Sarah Capasso, PhD, RBP (ABSA)
Associate Biosafety Officer
sarahcap@upenn.edu

Marie-Luise Faber, MS, RBP
Associate Biosafety Officer
mlfaber@upenn.edu

Table Number: 26

Extracellular Vesicle Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022444 (Penn Vet)

The Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Core Facility located in the Rosenthal building at 3800 Spruce Street provides comprehensive or selected services in the necessary isolation, quantification and characterization of EVs and other type of nanoparticles like lentiviruses or LNP. Isolation of EV is based on size exclusion using high-performance (SEC- HPLC) or gravity fed (e.g. iZon column) liquid chromatography, ultracentrifugation, and/or density gradient ultracentrifugation. We can accurately characterize EV particle size distribution and concentration using resistive pulse sensing techniques (nCS1, Spectradyne, LLC). Immunophenotype can be accomplished using nanoscale flow cytometry and/or chip array (ExoViewTM) techniques. We additionally provide services in training and education for individuals and lab groups in all methods above and study design consultation to ensure that your EV work is of the highest quality and prepared for high impact publication in this exciting and rapidly growing field

Luca Musante, PhD
Director
musante@upenn.edu

Table Number: 12
Live Presentation: 12-12:05

Flow Cytometry Core (CHOP)

The Flow Cytometry Core Laboratory provides access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and professional flow cytometry services to members of the research community of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania. Our helpful and friendly staff provides training and expertise for you to take advantage of the latest technological and reagent-associated advances in flow cytometry. We excel at a variety of flow cytometry applications including sample processing for surface and intracellular staining, functional assays, complex multi-color flow cytometry analyses, cell sorting, and polychromatic assays for clinical research studies.

Florin Tuluc, MD, PhD
Director
tuluc@chop.edu

Jennifer Murray
Senior Technical Specialist
murrayjb@chop.edu

Table Number: 17

Flow Cytometry Core (Wistar)

The Wistar Flow Cytometry Facility provides users with the technological resources and professional assistance for high quality, multiparameter flow cytometry analyses and sorting. Facility personnel aid investigators in creating efficient and cost-effective experimental designs, through optimizing cytometry-specific reagent and fluorochrome selection, and offer assistance in operation of analysis instruments. Technical support is also provided for analyses of flow and imaging cytometry data for publication, presentation, and inclusion in grant applications, management of cytometric data (storage, archiving, and retrieval), and management of a site license for low-cost analysis software.

Jeffrey Faust, BA, MBA
Managing Director
jfaust@wistar.org

Table Numbers 1 & 2
10-11:15AM

Genomics Core (Wistar)

The Wistar Genomics Facility serves as a hub for consultation and scientific interaction relating to nucleic acid-based methods. It provides expertise and support to insure the best possible outcomes for genomic related projects. The Facility supports several state-of-the-art platforms for a wide variety of nucleic acid-based studies, including massively parallel sequencing as well as routine capillary sequencing. The facility also supports: transcriptomic projects including RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, methylation (MeDIP), small RNA-Seq and targeted sequencing; gene expression studies using Quant-Seq(3’ RNA-seq) and low input sequencing; single Cell-Seq (Takara iCell 8 MSND system); and targeted gene expression studies include the nanoString platform.

Sonali Majumdar, MS
Managing Director
smajumdar@wistar.org

Table Numbers 1 & 2
11:15AM-12:15PM

High Throughput Sequencing Core (CHOP)

High Throughput Sequencing Core (HTS Core) is a state of the art, full-service facility providing instrumentation, library preparation, and sequencing services to CHOP, UPenn, and external investigators in genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic studies.

Teodora Orendovici, PhD
Technical Director
orendovict@chop.edu

Table Number: 27

High-Throughput Screening Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022379 (PSOM)

The UPenn High-throughput Screening Core (HTSC) provides users with expertise in the design, development, and execution of innovative biochemical, cell-, and high-content based assays that are automation-compatible for high-throughput chemical & functional genomic screening. Our goal is to enable scientists to apply cutting-edge technologies to discover genes and small molecules that enable further study of the functions of poorly understood proteins, signaling pathways, and cells in complex biological processes relevant to human physiology and disease.

Sara Cherry, PhD
Scientific Director
cherrys@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

David Schultz, PhD
Technical Director
dschultz@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Tori Gordillo
Administrative Coordinator
tori.gordillo@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 26
Live Presentation: 2:20-2:25

Histology Core (Wistar)

The Wistar Histotechnology Facility provides services for fixing, processing and paraffin or OCT-embedding of all types of tissues for light microscopy (e.g. routine stains, immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization). The Facility staff performs routine hematoxylin and eosin staining, as well as specialized staining and slide preparation for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Frozen sectioning is also available, including consultation regarding freezing and fixing techniques to optimize experimental results.

Fangping Chen, HT (ASCP)
Managing Director
fchen@wistar.org

Tables 1 & 2
1:45-3PM

Human Immunology Core - RRID:SCR_022380 (PSOM)

The human immunology core (HIC) offers the translational research support for scientists from a wide range of disciplines in the Perelman School of Medicine and beyond. Services offered include HLA-typed primary human cells from healthy donors; blood and tissue processing, storage and shipping for clinical trials; cellular and molecular immunological assays (e.g, BCR and TCR sequencing, ELISA, digital ELISA, luminex, flow cytometry, ELISPOT), and scientific consultations to help investigators and trainees design their experiments, establish assays and workflows for new studies and provide experimental details and budgets for grant applications.

Nina Luning Prak, MD, PhD
Director
luning@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Honghong Sun, PhD
Technical Director
hsun2@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Jean Scholz, PhD
jeanl@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 32
Live Presentation: 11:50-11:55

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core (CHOP)

The Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core performs the following services for investigators at CHOP, Penn and nationwide: 1) generation of control and disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines including standardized quality control analyses, 2) gene editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to create isogenic iPSC lines for downstream functional assays, and 3) differentiation to all three germlayers and derivative tissues for modeling and therapeutic purposes.

Deborah French, PhD
Director
frenchd@chop.edu

Jean Ann Maguire, PhD
Technical Director
maguirej@chop.edu

Table Number: 31

Imaging Core (Wistar)

The state-of-the-art Wistar Imaging Facility provides access to standard and advanced optical imaging systems capable of reaching these goals and offers assistance with advanced image analysis solutions. Researchers may be trained for unassisted use of all core instrumentation, while full service assistance by facility staff is also available for qualitative or quantitative image capture. The Facility also offers expert technical assistance with experimental design to optimize imaging results, enabling users to get more out of the imaging technology.

James Hayden, BA, RBP, FBCA
Managing Director
jhayden@wistar.org

Table Numbers 1 & 2
11:15AM-12:15PM

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022426 (PSOM)

The iPSC core at UPenn provides services including derivation of iPS cells from somatic cells, Hands-on training to researchers in ES/iPS cell culture; differentiation of iPS cells into many lineages. The core serves as a resource for sharing iPS cell lines and iPSC technology within the UPenn and the broader scientific community.

Wenli Yang, PhD
Director
wenliyan@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Jingli Cai, PhD
Scientific Manager
jingli.cai@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 13

Information Services Advisory Center - ISAAC (PSOM)

IS-concierge service that provide personalized support to faculty and staff in the Penn Medicine community on IS-related questions on Penn applications, research, IS security, and more.

Jennifer Moody
Senior Manager
jennifer.moody@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 20

Institute for Biomedical Informatics Clinical Research Informatics Core - RRID:SCR_022409 (PSOM)

The Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI) Clinical Research Informatics Core (CIC) provides data brokering and analytics services of clinical data for clinical and translational research in which the goal is to learn actionable healthcare knowledge and develop impactful solutions for improving patient care. We specialize in data de-identification, extraction, integration, standardization, and analytics of clinical data from the electronic health record (EHR) as well as research databases including PennG&P | TriNetX, Epic Cosmos, Epic Clarity, and the IQVIA Medical Record Database using artificial intelligence, natural language processing (NLP), ontologies, machine learning, and visual analytics. We also provide translation of research products into healthcare operations through coordination of projects with Penn Medicine Corporate Information Services, Penn Medicine BioBank, Penn Data and Analytics Center of Excellence, Penn RADAR, and the Center for Applied Health Informatics. The IBI CIC is a member of the Penn-sponsored Honest Broker program.

Danielle Mowery, PhD, MS, MS, FAMIA
Scientific Director
dlmowery@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Heather Williams
Technical Director
hwilli@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 27
Live Presentation: 11:40-11:45

Institute of Structural Biology

Structural Biology provides three-dimensional information on the molecular architecture of biological macromolecules—proteins, nucleic acids, and their complexes. It seeks to understand the molecular details of their formation, actions, and functions through techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Structural Biology is deeply interconnected with Cell Biology, Computational Biology, Chemical Biology, Pharmacology, and many other areas of biological research. Knowledge provided by these techniques on the biological macromolecules is fundamental to understanding insights into the biological processes and mechanisms at the molecular level, guiding efforts in drug design and disease understanding.
• The Institute of Structural Biology at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Perelman School of Medicine was established in 2023. The Institute of Structural Biology hosts 30 research laboratories and catalyzes novel advances in the areas of structural biology, meets structural biology needs on the UPenn campus, and promotes collaborative studies across the biomedical community. The Institute of Structural Biology also serves as a hub for training and education in structural biology, providing opportunities for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers to gain hands-on experience with the latest techniques and methods. The Institute of Structural Biology hosts seminars, biennial symposia and provides pilot project grants.

Vera Moiseenkova-Bell, PhD
Director
vmb@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 15

Institute of Structural Biology: Electron Microscopy Resource Laboratory (EMRL) & Beckman Center for Cryo-EM - RRID:_SCR:022375

The Institute of Structural Biology offers 2 cores for Penn research groups and external academic research groups in the greater Philadelphia area - the Electron Microscopy Resource Laboratory (EMRL) and Beckman center for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

The EMRL is an "ultrastructure facility" that provides conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of cells and tissues services. The facility houses a JEOL JEM-1010 microscope, sample preparation instruments and all the accessories needed to perform fixing, processing, sectioning, staining, and imaging.

The Beckman Center for Cryo-EM provides access to state-of the art cryo-EM and cryo electron tomography (cryo-ET) for structural investigation of macromolecules within and outside cells. The facility currently houses a 300 keV Titan Krios G3i microscope equipped with phase plate, K3 Summit Direct Detector camera and Bioquantum GIF energy filter. In the near future, it is set to incorporate a Glacios operating at 200 keV to its equipment. Additionally, the facility has Vitrobot cryo plunger and all accessories needed to perform sample preparation for cryo-EM. The cryo-ET branch offers expertise and instrumentation for advanced sample preparation methods as well. It hosts a Zeiss LSM900 laser scanning confocal light microscope designed to facilitate correlative cryogenic workflows, specifically for targeted cryo-ET data acquisition. It also hosts a Zeiss Crossbeam 550 that is capable of conducting volumetric scanning electron microscopy (vSEM) reconstructions and thinning of biological specimens in a targeted fashion for subsequent cryo-ET.

Vera Moiseenkova-Bell, PhD
Director
vmb@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 15
Live Presentation: 2:40-2:45

Johnson Foundation Biophysical & Structural Biology Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022414

The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania is privileged to have a wide range of unique equipment and expertise to facilitate modern biophysical characterization and structural analysis of proteins and other biomolecules. These facilities, funded in large part through the generosity of the Johnson Foundation, are available for use by the research community at Penn and beyond.

Kushol Gupta, PhD
Director
kgupta@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 31
Live Presentation: 11:30-11:35

Large Animal Imaging Core - LAIF (CHOP)

The LAIF Core facilitates advanced MR image-guided interventional and noninvasive procedures to study various disease areas, such as neurodegenerative, cardiothoracic, and reproductive diseases. Our imaging applications cover a wide range of applications: structural, diffusion, DCE and ASL perfusion, spectroscopy, angiography, cardiac, tissue elastography, functional imaging, flow quantification, and T1, T2 and T2* mapping. A major advantage of preclinical MRI is the ability to utilize the same imaging methods and pulse sequences in both preclinical and clinical scanners, offering a unique opportunity for seamless translation from bench to bedside.

In collaboration with the Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR) team, we encourage investigators to consult on all aspects of scientific, medical, and compliance issues related to research working with large animal models. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval should be received before starting a study.

Pavan Jella
Research Lab Manager
jellap@chop.edu

Table Number: 10
Live Presentation: 1:20-1:25

Metabolomics Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022381 (PSOM)

The Metabolomics Core provides expertise to profile and quantitate metabolites in biological samples using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Our mission is to perform the assays and assist in the interpretation of the results. The core is available to the entire Penn research community, external research investigators, and industry.

Christopher Petucci, PhD
Technical Director
christopher.petucci@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 34

Microbial Culture & Metabolomics Core - RRID:SCR_022417 (PSOM)

The Penn Microbial Culture and Metabolomics Core provides aerobic and anaerobic culturing services and targeted metabolomics analysis, as well as consultation towards experimental design, method development, and data analyses. Culture studies include isolation of microbial taxa from mammalian samples; interrogation of the physiology of microbial strains under different conditions (e.g., anaerobic/microaerobic/aerobic, differing nutrient limitations) using isolated strains or strains obtained from culture collections (another service offered by the core); co-culturing of defined microbial consortia to investigate microbe-microbe interactions, and; preparation of microbial products (live bacteria, heat-killed bacteria, bacterial supernatants) from single or defined-mixed microbial cultures for use in mammalian cell culture and/or animal model systems. The metabolomics component of the core provides researchers with targeted metabolomics of amino, bile, and short chain fatty acids and features a Waters Acquity uPLC System with photodiode and QDa single quadropole mass detectors as well as an autosampler.

Elliot Friedman, PhD
Technical Director
elliotf@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 33

Molecular Pathology & Imaging Core Facility (MPIC) - RRID:SCR_022420 (PSOM)

The Molecular Pathology and Imaging Core is a resource for researchers at Penn, CHOP, and beyond. We offer histological services such as processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining paraffin fixed and frozen samples including difficult samples such as organoids, spheroids, and cell pellets. MPIC also has resources and equipment to assist with immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical staining and imaging as well as expertise and equipment for spatial biology such as Xenium, Visium, GeoMx, etc.

Kate Bennett
Technical Director
bennk@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 29
Live Presentation: 12:10-12:15pm

Molecular Screening/Protein Expression Facility (Wistar)

The Wistar Molecular Screening and Protein Expression Facility fosters collaboration by providing expertise in biochemical and cell-based assay development for high-throughput screening and compound profiling. Such assays enable researchers to identify small molecule compounds which interact with a target protein of interest. These compounds can then be used as tools to further study the target proteins function and signaling pathways in cells. In addition, recombinant protein expression is offered in insect cells and other hosts on a case-by-case basis.

Joel Cassel
Managing Director
jcassel@wistar.org

Table Numbers 1 & 2
10-11:15am

Neurobehavior Testing Core - NBTC - RRID:SCR_022386 (PSOM)

The Neurobehavior Testing Core (NTC) provides equipment and services to investigate behavior phenotypes of mouse models related to neurological and other disorders. Also, disease models are used to investigate potential therapeutic interventions (drug, gene therapy, immunotherapy and nanoparticle delivery). Available procedures include assays of sensory and motor function, learning and memory, communication and social behavior, circadian activity, affective disorder-related behaviors. Recently acquired EEG recording equipment can be used to assess sleep and seizure.

Behavior batteries are designed to address the specific aims of an individual investigator. Core personnel can perform the procedures or train personnel from the investigator’s lab to run the tests at a reduced cost. After consultation, mice and personnel are transferred to the core IACUC protocol to ensure compliance with OAW regulations. Standard ULAR procedures are used to relocate mice to the core facilities in the Smilow Center for Translational Research.

Additional core services include surgical procedures, tissue harvest and consultation regarding the appropriate procedures to address specific aims and design of experiments, assistance in writing protocols and transferring. The NTC uses automated image analysis of most behaviors to add rigor to data analysis.

W. Timothy O'Brien, PhD
Core Director
obrienw@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 35

OCRC Tumor BioTrust Collection - RRID:SCR_022387 (PSOM)

The OCRC Tumor BioTrust collects cancer tissue specimens from all cases of gynecologic cancers. We handle collection, processing, storage and distribution of primary and recurrent tumor samples. All samples collected have clinical annotation including demographic patient profiles, pathological & clinical notations, treatment history, and detailed disease information.

Euihye Jung, MBA
Technical Director
euihye@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Core Facility Email: TBCrequests@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 10

Office of Clinical Research (PSOM)

The Office of Clinical Research seeks to promote human research for the advancement of healthcare while ensuring the highest level of research participant safety and facilitating the highest quality research by:

-Realizing the best research standards through adherence to university and government
research policies and regulations
-Supporting investigators and research teams through process improvement, innovative
technologies, and education and training initiatives;
-Propagating best operational practices to maximize the efficiencies of research activities;
-Collaborating with University organizations involved with human research.

OCR can provide guidance and expertise with regulatory submissions and exemptions, contract support with external sponsors, research budgets and finance, training, research data management and systems, monitoring, clinicaltrials.gov and inspection support.

Lorri Schieri, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Clinical and Translational Science
schieril@upenn.edu

Nevine Mikhail, MeD
Administrative Coordinator
nevinem@upenn.edu

Table Number: 23

Pancreatic Islet Cell Biology Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022411 (PSOM)

The objective of the Islet Cell Biology Core is to provide state of the art support including experimental design, islet isolation, and performance of and/or training in an expansive range of assays for physiological and morphometric assessment of pancreatic islet function and growth. In addition to islet cell biology, we offer support and guidance to help adapt existing technologies to solve unique problems that standard methodologies cannot address utilizing a variety of model systems. The core has the advanced technology and expertise to examine calcium influx by fluorescence imaging (utilizing Fura-2 AM ratiometric calcium dye), metabolic and bioenergetic function with the XFe96 Seahorse Extracellular Flux Analyzer coupled with the BioTek Cytation 5 for Seahorse normalization, perifusion with or without respirometry, and “closed” respirometry experiments for our investigators. We foster collaborative initiatives that allow us to expand the services and support we can offer our users.

Nicolai Doliba, PhD, DSc
Technical Director
nicolai@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Andrea Rozo, PhD
Assistant Technical Director
arozo@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 35

Pathology Core Laboratory Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute (CHOP)

The Pathology Core provides histopathology, Immunohistochemistry, tissue microarray, and imaging services to researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and the surrounding academic community. Our technical and professional staff has extensive experience in all aspects of tissue processing, histological techniques, antibody work-up, and morphologic analysis. In addition, we offer tools to facilitate high throughput analysis of tissue sections and imaging. The Pathology Core is located in the A Level of Colket Translational Research Building (CTRB) Room A410. Our staff is available for consultation, troubleshooting, and assistance in planning and interpreting experiments histopathology and related techniques.

Daniel Martinez
Director
martinezd@chop.edu

Table Number: 30

Penn Cytomics & Cell Sorting Shared Resource Laboratory - RRID:SCR_022376 (PSOM)

Penn Cytomics is the sole flow cytometry shared resource laboratory (SRL) at the University of Pennsylvania. Our facility has 35+ instruments, which include analyzers, cell sorters, and small particle detectors. We also have a dual-fluorescence cell counter/viability instrument and a tissue dissociator for cell preparation. We provide both on-site and off-site support to our instrument users, including analyzer and cell sorter training. We also have a research and development team that collaborates/consults with principal investigators in developing high-dimensional panels, as well as staining, acquisition, and analysis. Penn Cytomics is an Abramson Cancer Center supported facility and has been recognized as "exceptional" by the National Cancer Center for over 30 years. Recently, our core became a "Recognized SRL" through the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Derek Jones, PhD, SCYM(ASCP)CM
Senior Technical Director
jonesder@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

William Murphy, BA, SCYM(ASCP)CM
Technical Director
william.murphy@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 18
Live Presentation: 11:10-11:15

Penn Genomics & Sequencing Core Facility - RRID:SCR_024999 (PSOM)

The Penn Genomics and Sequencing Core is the only University-wide facility that provides comprehensive genomics and sequencing services on multiple platforms. The core offers Next-Generation-Sequencing (NGS) using Illumina MiSeq, NextSeq 2000 and NovaSeq 6000, and Sanger sequencing on ABI capillary sequencer. The NGS services include consultation, experimental design, nucleic acid extraction, library preparation and quality control, and sequencing followed by data processing and data analysis. For single- cell genomics, PGSC uses 10x Genomics Single-Cell Controller and has been doing single-cell experiments for over five years. The Sanger capillary sequencer enables microsatellite-based genotyping, MLPA and other applications of fragment analysis, and cell line authentication. Whole genome and targeted molecular profiling are performed on multiple platforms. The Core supports quantitative RNA and DNA profiling on Affymetrix GeneChips, Fluidigm BioMark HD, and ABI QS12 Flex real-time PCR instrument. The molecular biological services include PCR-based mouse genotyping, cloning, subcloning, and site-directed mutagenesis.

Tapan Ganguly, PhD
Core Director
gangulyt@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Erik Toorens
Laboratory Manager
toorens@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 3
Live Presentation: 11-11:05

Penn Libraries Holman Biotech Commons/Research Data & Digital Scholarship

Holman Biotech Commons: The Holman Biotech Commons is Penn’s biomedical library and recently completed a major renovation of the main floor. Librarians serving Penn Nursing, PSOM, Biology, and Penn Medicine are based here and are available for research consultations, library orientations, and workshops on the library’s various databases and resources. Additionally, Holman is home to the Bollinger Digital Fabrication Lab, providing research poster printing service as well as 3D printing, 3D scanning and laser cutting services. Holman offers 20 group study rooms, a collaborative classroom, and a reading room. Spaces still in development include: Podcasting/Video Lecture Recording Studio, Design Thinking Studio, and Mixed Reality Lab. The library is open to all – visit our website for our hours, to reserve a room, and to reach out to any of our staff.

Research Data & Digital Scholarship: The Penn Libraries Research Data & Digital Scholarship team facilitates data-driven and data-literate research and scholarship across the disciplines. We provide one-on-one consultations and workshops related to quantitative and qualitative data software, GIS and mapping tools, and programming languages. We have wide ranging expertise in data management, data sharing and preservation, machine learning, text analysis, and AI. We also assist patrons with digital scholarship through our management of the institutional repository, ScholarlyCommons, and other forms of digital project development and publishing. Come see us in our space in Van Pelt called the Research Data & Digital Scholarship Exchange (RDDSx)!

https://www.library.upenn.edu/holman
https://www.library.upenn.edu/page/bollinger-digital-fabrication-lab https://www.library.upenn.edu/page/research-data-digital-scholarship

Jennifer Lege-Matsuura, BA, MSLIS
Medical Research Librarian
jlege@upenn.edu

Lynda Kellam, MA, MLIS, PhD
Head of Research Data Services
lmkellam@upenn.edu

Lexi Voss
Visualizationist and Interim Head
Judith & William Bollinger Digital Fabrication Laboratory, Holman Biotech Commons
lexivoss@upenn.edu

Manuel de la Cruz Gutierrez, MLS, PhD
Director of Data & Innovation Services
Biotech Commons
dmanuel@pobox.upenn.edu

Table Number: 24
Live Presentation: 12:20-12:25

Penn Medicine Academic Services (PMACS) (PSOM)

PMACS (Penn Medicine Academic Computing Systems), was formed in 2012 with the goal of providing computing services for the Perelman School of Medicine’s departments, centers, and institutes. PMACS has matured into a 140+ department of technology professionals providing a wide range of services including:

-Desktop Support
-Server Administration
-Storage Management
-Both High Performance Computing (HPC) and Limited Performance Computing (LPC)
-Software Development
-Web Design and Development

Consulting services that provide options to best support research initiatives
PMACS is focused on delivering state of the art technology solutions in the most cost-conscious manner in support of the education, administrative and research needs of the Perelman School of Medicine.

Meredith Fetters
Associate CIO, Research information systems
Meredith.Fetters@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Vincent Frangiosa
Service Information Officer
frangiov@upenn.edu

Ned Haubein
Senior Director Research Information Systems
Ned.Haubein@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Brian Korn
IT Project Leader Senior
bkorn@upenn.edu

Jamie Howell
Application Manager
Jamie.Howell@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Jerry Brennian
PMACS Staff
jerryb@upenn.edu

Table Number: 21

Penn Medicine Biobank (PMBB) - RRID:SCR_022415

At the Penn Medicine BioBank, we help researchers study diseases. We gather samples like blood and tissue from Penn Medicine patient volunteers. These samples help scientists find better ways to diagnose, treat, and maybe even stop or cure diseases. As one of the world’s top research institutions, Penn Medicine is dedicated to the advancement of science. Our goal is to combine cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Our work as researchers is inspired by the lives and stories of real patients. We rely on partnerships with our patients to make breathtaking discoveries in medicine.

JoEllen Weaver
Technical Director
joellenw@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Nawar Naseer
Director of Engagement
nnawar@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 8
Live Presentation: 10:30-10:35

Penn Vet Comparative Pathology Core - RRID:SCR_022438 (Penn Vet)

The Comparative Pathology Core (CPC), an Abramson Cancer Center shared resource, provides expert pathological characterization and validation of mouse and other animal models used in biomedical research by offering the expertise of board-certified veterinary pathologists and access to state-of-the-art histology, molecular staining of animal tissues, and digital pathology services.

Enrico Radaelli, DVM, PhD, DECVP
Director
enrada@vet.upenn.edu

Charley Assenmacher, DVM, MSc, DACVP
Technical Director
chasse@upenn.edu

Table Number: 18

Penn Vet Imaging Core - RRID:SCR_022436 (Penn Vet)

The Penn Vet Imaging Core provides access to a variety of microscope systems, including a Leica Stellaris 8 FALCON confocal and fluorescence lifetime microscope, a Leica SP8-MP upright 2-photon microscope, a Leica DM6000 widefield microscope, a Molecular Devices ImageXpress high content imaging system, and a DeltaVision OMX-SI structured illumination and TIRF microscope. Training and assistance on these microscopes is provided at no additional cost beyond the normal hourly rate for microscope use.

Gordon Ruthel, PhD
Core Manager
goruthel@vet.upenn.edu

Table Number: 12

Proteomics & Metabolomics Facility (Wistar)

The Wistar Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility provides high sensitivity proteomics and metabolomics analyses using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry instruments and methods. Proteomics services include: quantitative, in-depth global comparisons of sub-proteomes, complete proteomes, and secretomes using integrated ion current, SILAC or TMT labeling; global quantitative comparisons of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) such as ubiquitination, acetylation, or phosphorylation; detailed characterization of individual purified proteins including PTMs; identification of components in protein complexes (e.g. pull-downs) including estimation of stoichiometries (where appropriate); characterization of intact protein and peptide masses using either MALDI-MS or ESI-MS; and HPLC peptide mapping with UV detection. Metabolomics analyses include analysis of polar metabolites or lipids extracted from cells, biological fluids, conditioned media, or tissues.

Hsin-Yao Tang, PhD
Scientific Director
tangh@wistar.org

Aaron Goldman, PhD
Co-Scientific Director
agoldman@wistar.org

Wujuan Zhang, PhD
Managing Director
wzhang@wistar.org

Table Numbers 1 & 2
1:45-3PM
Live Presentation: 2:10-2:15

Qualitative Research Core (CHOP)

The Qualitative Research Core (QCR) supports all Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute personnel and faculty who are interested in utilizing qualitative methods. We support research teams with a wide range of qualitative research experience, including those who are new to qualitative research and those with established qualitative research portfolios. We are experienced in providing research support across a broad range of settings, including in-hospital clinical research, primary care, public health, and community-based settings. Our services include staff support, hourly consultation, and various trainings.

Katherine Kellom, BA
Director
kellomk@chop.edu

Cynthia Mollen, MD/MSCE
mollenc@chop.edu

Jennifer Whittaker, PhD/MUP
whittakerj@chop.edu

Katherine Wu, MPH
wuk4@chop.edu

Table Number: 25

Recruitment Enhancement Core (CHOP)

The Recruitment Enhancement Core (REC) is a free service providing study teams with additional recruitment support. Services include recruitment strategy consultation for protocols and grant writing, recruitment strategy consultation for studies already in progress, writing and editing recruitment documents, IRB regulatory support related to recruitment, deploying recruitment emails/letters, tear pad advertising around CHOP’s campus, submissions through internal advertisement and CHOP social media tools, utilization of Clinical Research Finder website and other resources to support study enrollment.

Heather Cathrall, CIP, MBE
Director, Clinical Trials Support Administration
cathrallh@chop.edu

Rosemary Labree
Senior Family Consultant
Labereer@chop.edu

Julia Jaen
Research Recruitment Coordinator
jaenj@chop.edu

Table Number: 22

Research Instrumentation Shop (RIS) - RRID:SCR_022424 (PSOM)

The Research Instrumentation Shop (RIS) is a non-profit, shared resource machine shop facility of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Our staff is comprised of mechanical specialists with years of experience in the design and construction of custom laboratory and experimental clinical instrumentation. RIS has a long history of assisting researchers and graduate students from Penn, as well as scientists outside the University and from industry, with a wide variety of disciplines and perspectives. RIS will meet their needs to design, construct, and package their research instrumentation in a timely fashion. We are conveniently located in the basement of the John Morgan Building, Room 75. Please visit us to discuss your research requirements.

Dieter Hunt
Machinist
dieter.hunt@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 20

RIA Biomarker Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022405 (PSOM)

The DRC Radioimmunoassay and Biomarkers Core Facility offers a large number of high quality immunoassay, metabolite, and HPLC services to basic, translational, and clinical investigators performing diabetes and related metabolic disease research. The RIA/Biomarkers Core is housed within in a new state of the art-laboratory within the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism (IDOM) located on the 12th floor of the Smilow Center for Translational Research. Approximately 100 different diabetes, obesity and metabolism-related biomarkers from multiple species including human can be assayed using radioimmunoassay (RIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, both absorbance and fluorometric), multiplex ELISA on the Luminex platform, and enzymatic assays for an expanding variety of diabetes and metabolism related metabolites, hormones, and cytokines derived from blood, urine, and extracted tissue samples.

Heather Collins, PhD
Technical Director
hwc@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 14

Rodent Cardiovascular Phenotyping Core - RRID:SCR_022419

The Rodent Cardiovascular Phenotyping Core provides echocardiographic services to assess cardiovascular function in mouse models and to provide validated surgical models of heart and vascular disease in mice to evaluate genetic or therapeutic interventions. We will work with investigators to design and implement the study, along with any associated grant applications, animal protocol submissions, and manuscript preparation. While the facility's primary focus is cardiovascular research, the techniques employed are often useful to investigators in other fields. Our Core staff will work with you to assess your needs and provide the necessary technical training and scientific assistance in animal protocol preparation. The Core runs on a fee-for-service model. Accordingly, investigators will be responsible for the costs incurred for their projects and prior animal protocol approval by Penn IACUC.

Ling Lai, MD/PhD
Director & Cardiac Surgeon
linglai@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Joanna Griffin, MS/RCS/RDCS
Rodent Echocardiographer
Joanna.Griffin@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Ingrid Marti Pamies, PHD
Mouse Echocardiographer
ingridm@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Teresa Leone
Director, Research Administration & Operations, CVI
terleone@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 8

Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core - RRID:SCR_022427 (PSOM)

The mission of the Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core is to provide the necessary resources and expertise to allow investigators to perform state-of-the-art studies of metabolism in rodent models.

Corey Holman, PhD
Technical Director
holmanc@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 19
Live Presentation: 1:50-1:55

Single Cell Technology Core (CHOP)

As part of the Center for Single Cell Biology, our service core provides convenient access to cutting-edge single-cell, spatial and in situ technologies to CHOP, UPenn and the wider research community. Established in early 2022, we are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, experienced research assistants and bioinformaticians to offer in-house experimental and computational support to your single-cell research.

Our services include:
• 10x Genomics single cell assays
• 10x Genomics Visium CytAssist and Visium HD spatial transcriptomics
• 10x Genomics Xenium in situ spatial transcriptomics
• Vizgen MERSCOPE in situ spatial transcriptomics
• NanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler RNA and protein assays

Mei Zhang, PhD
Director
zhangm5@chop.edu
3501 Civic Center Blvd, CTRB A450D
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Table Number: 15
Live Presentation: 10:40-10:45

Small Animal Imaging Core - SAIF (CHOP)

The Small Animal Imaging Facility (SAIF) Core has several in vivo imaging, including optical, MRI, PET, CT, and US. The SAIF is helping customers determine which imaging modality best meets their study goals. After determination of the imaging modality, the SAIF will assist you with experiment and protocol design, conducting in vivo imaging experiments and training new users with image acquisition, and data analysis and management of the project.

Sergey Magnitsky PhD
Director of Preclinical Imaging Facility
magnitsksm@chop.edu

Table Number: 10

Small Animal Imaging Facility (SAIF) - RRID:SCR_022385

The SAIF combines state-of-the-art instrumentation and a nationally recognized staff to assist investigators with a wide range of imaging based experimental approaches. The SAIF provides a comprehensive suite of imaging modalities including: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS), Optical imaging (including bioluminescence, fluorescence, and near-infrared imaging), Computed tomography (CT), Positron emission tomography (PET), Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), Ultrasound (US), and Photoacoustic imaging (PAI).In addition, dedicated housing is available for mice and rats undergoing longitudinal imaging studies.

Jim Delikatny, PhD
Director
delikatn@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Stephen, PhD
Technical Director
pickup@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 11
Live Presentation: 1:10-1:15

Small Molecule and Metabolite Core Laboratory (CHOP)

The Small Molecule and Metabolite Core Laboratory focuses on quantitative bioanalytical assay development, validation and implementation for drugs, metabolites and biomarkers in blood, serum, plasma, urine, ultrafiltrate and microdialysate utilizing mass spectrometry techniques.

James Bruton
Laboratory Manager
brutonj@chop.edu

Table Number: 16

Spatial Transcriptomics Core at Penn Dental Medicine (Penn Dental)

The Spatial Transcriptomics Core is a newly established core at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. This core features the 10X Genomics Xenium Analyzer for highly multiplexed in situ RNA imaging at a single cell level. The core is open to the UPenn community. Users will have access to pre-experiment consultation, specimen sourcing and sectioning assistance, Xenium workflow assistance with a dedicated core staff member, and multiple options for downstream data analysis.

Eric Larson, PhD
larsoned@upenn.edu

Table Number: 34

Stem Cell & Xenograft Core Facility - RRD:SCR_010035 (PSOM)

The Stem Cell and Xenograft Core (SCXC) is a comprehensive resource laboratory and was established at the Perelman School of Medicine in 2008. The mission of the Core is to provide Investigators with a high-quality, cost-effective, and comprehensive resource to promote basic and translational research in the areas of cancer biology, infectious disease, immunotherapy, stem cell biology, and regenerative medicine. We offer services centered around 2 components: (1) An extensive repository of live and fully annotated cells from adult patients with hematologic malignancies (AML, ALL, CLL, MPN, MDS), and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from healthy donors. (2) A full array of in vivo services and xenograft models (PDX, humanized immune system), in a dedicated BSL-2 barrier space equipped with optical imaging. The SCXC remains unique amongst peer institutions with regards to the scopes of research, its scale, and its range of services.

Martin Keough, PhD
Director
martin.keough@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Tony Secreto
Technical Director
asecreto@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 3

Tissue Processing Laboratory (TPL) - RRID:SCR_022863 (Penn Dental)

The TPL core provides a variety of histological services to researchers. Additionally, the TPL core provides histological advice and guidance to researchers.

Shuying Yang, MD/MS/PhD
Associate Professor
shuyingy@upenn.edu

Frank Leni
Research Specialist
fleni@upenn.edu

Table Number: 11
Live Presentation: 10:20-10:25

Transgenic & Chimeric Mouse Core Facility (TCMF) RRID:SCR_022388 (PSOM)

The Transgenic and Chimeric Mouse Facility provides a centralized service to efficiently produce infection-free transgenic, chimeric, and genome-edited strains of mice. These mice carry randomly inserted transgenes and/or site-specific alterations in the mouse genome of specific interest to Penn researchers. The Facility offers services including DNA pronuclear injection into fertilized oocytes (along with genotyping of transgenic founders), ES cell injection into blastocysts, cytoplasmic/pronuclear injections into fertilized oocytes of CRISPR-Cas9 mix (gRNA, Cas9RNA, ssDNA/dsDNA templates), embryo and sperm cryopreservation, in vitro fertilization, and re-derivation of live and cryopreserved lines. The Core also oversees a cyropreservation facility for long-term storage of mouse embryos and sperm samples.

Douglas Epstein, PhD
Facility Director
epsteind@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Kathleen Moosbrugger
Technical Director
kthompso@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 4

Transgenic Mouse Core Facility - RRID:SCR_022441 (Penn Vet)

The Transgenic Mouse Core located in the School of Veterinary Medicine is a state-of-the-art fee-for-service facility that offers a full line of embryological manipulation services, focused on, but not limited to, murine model systems. These services primarily enable the generation of genetically modified murine models, as well as experimental research in germ cell function and early embryonic development.

Adrian Leu
Technical Director
nleu@vet.upenn.edu

Stephanie Sterling
Laboratory Manager
sterlin@vet.upenn.edu

Table Number: 9

Translational Core Laboratory - TCL (CHOP)

The Translational Core Laboratory (TCL) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Research Institute supports basic, pre-clinical, and clinical research for investigators from CHOP, the University of Pennsylvania, and external sites. The CHOP TCL performs immunoassays for the quantitation of protein/peptide biomarkers, cytokines, hormones, and antibodies in various body fluids. The TCL also performs blood-chemistry assays and hematology assays. Over the years, TCL has gathered a breadth of instruments for protein biomarker detection via immunoassay, including clinical grade, research grade, and multiplex. This has made us a “One-Stop Shop" for protein biomarker detection on the CHOP campus. We can test numerous biomarkers and provide a balance in cost, quality, and speed.

Nkecha Hughes, MS
Lab Manager
HughesN@chop.edu

Table Number: 6

Tumor Tissue & Biospecimen Bank - RRID:SCR_022430 (PSOM)

The Tumor Tissue and Biospecimen Bank (TTAB) [RRID:SCR_022430], also known as Abramson Cancer Center Biorepository Sub-Core (ABR), is dedicated to advancing the mission of the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) by facilitating access to high-quality, well-documented human-derived samples for basic, clinical, and translational research. Established in 2005 with a shared vision of Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center, TTAB has significantly contributed to numerous clinical trials, cancer research, and disease-specific initiatives within PSOM, the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC), and external partners. In addition, TTAB extends its services to preclinical researchers at PSOM and the University of Pennsylvania, offering de-identified human tissues as well as clinical and pathologic data to support their research.

We offer customized support for research projects, including initial consultation services for project planning and budgeting, tailored tissue collection kits, and logistical support for sample tracking, collection, storage, and distribution to principal investigators and their collaborators, both within and outside of Penn. Our tissue collection and storage facilities are designed to ensure the integrity and quality of each specimen, with systems in place for adequate tracking of warm and cold ischemia times, continuous freezer monitoring, robust backup systems, and comprehensive disaster recovery plans. The process of collecting samples is meticulously conducted, ensuring the highest regard for patient privacy, the secure management of data, and strict compliance with top ethical and biobanking standards at every step.

Anupma Nayak, MD
Director
anupma.nayak@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Federico Valdivieso, BS
Technical Director
valdivie@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 9
Live Presentation: 10-10:15

University Laboratory Animal Resources - ULAR (Penn)

We provide the housing, husbandry, clinical care and health surveillance for all of the animals used in research at UPenn.

James Marx, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
marx@upenn.edu

Table Number: 13
Live Presentation: 1-1:05

Viral Molecular High Density Sequencing Core - RRID:SCR_022433 (PSOM)

The viral molecular high density sequencing (VMHDS) core offer services to assist in evaluating cell and gene therapies (lentivirus, MLV, AAV, CRISPR). We are currently assisting with over 20 gene therapy clinical trials globally across academic and corporate institutions, as both exploratory and safety endpoints, and have contributed to more than 80 publications. We are experts in molecular analyses, custom informatics and assisting with regulatory approval documents.

Aoife Doto, PhD
Technical Director
rochea@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Table Number: 25

Wistar Animal Facility - WAF (Wistar)

The Wistar Animal Facility facilitates research through humane and efficient management of animal populations. The vivarium operates as a modified barrier facility and is equipped with quarantine and procedure rooms, holding rooms with biosafety cabinets, small animal imaging instrumentation (IVIS SpectrumCT imaging system), and additional support areas. Wistar’s Animal Care and Use Program is fully accredited by AAALAC International since 1998, has an assurance on file with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at the NIH, and is a registered USDA research institution.

Denise DiFrancesco, BA, RLATG, CMAR, ILAM
Managing Director
difrancesco@wistar.org

Table Numbers 1 & 2
11:15 AM -12:15 PM