Histology and Histomorphometry Core (HHC)

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Histology and Histomorphometry Core (HHC), Core B, will provide inhouse expertise, techniques, equipment, and technical innovation to facilitate ICMH investigators from vastly different subspecialties to use histological approaches in order to assess tissue/cell level mechanisms in their developmental/physiological/disease

models. The HHC will facilitate histological and histomorphometric analyses of bone, muscle, cartilage, ligament, tendon, intervertebral disk. The HHC will provide consultation on study design and post-study data interpretation and provide training programs and education in all techniques covered by the Core. Aim 1: Provide histological

processing and quantitative analysis of musculoskeletal tissues. Histological preparation of bone, muscle, cartilage, ligament and tendon utilizing outcome-specific staining techniques will be provided. Processing techniques will include undecalcified/decalcified hard tissues, frozen sections, immunohistochemistry, and special staining.

Experienced analytical support for histomorphometric and immunohistometric assessments will also be a Core service. Innovation will focus on integrating with Core C to develop spatial transcriptomics of musculoskeletal tissue using histological sections. Aim 2: Provide consistency and comparability of measurement modalities across

studies. The Core will ensure consistency in the protocols among projects and provide quality control standards for technical procedures. This will contribute to the cost-effectiveness and comparability of measurements across all projects. Coordinated guidance will be provided to investigators on selection and quality management of appropriate

preclinical and clinical assessments, and centralized assessment of outcomes. Aim 3: Provide consultation on study design and post-study data interpretation. Core directors and advisors will provide consultation on study design and post-study interpretation related to any Core analytical service. Services will be made available

to internal investigators outside of musculoskeletal biology who need analysis of musculoskeletal tissues and early career investigators outside the University who could benefit from services. Aim 4: Provide training and education in histological analyses. Faculty, fellows, and graduate students will be offered annual training sessions in

analytical methods in research related to histology. A one-day training session will be provided twice each year, each focused on one of the approaches utilized by the Core; slots will be made available for early career investigators outside the univeristy. We will also arrange 1 :1 training with laboratory supervisors on request. The Core

will also support technical personnel professional development training to allow them to expand methodologies incorporated into the Core. By providing consistent methodological support, reproducibility will be improved and

by providing training and advice to investigators, the quality of their data will be improved, thereby advancing understanding of the musculoskeletal system.