Molecular Cytology

Murray Tipping

Director

The Molecular Cytology Core Facility (MCCF) delivers specialized histology, microscopy, and cytogenetics services in support of research projects at MSK. The methodologies employed by the Core allow for detection in situ (cells, tissue sections, organoids, and whole mounts) of biomarkers (proteins, glycoproteins, lipids, nucleic acids) and molecular processes in normal and pathological conditions. Using machine-based protocols and advanced spatial biology instrumentation, many nucleic acid and protein markers (up to 50) can be visualized by multiplex staining in the same sample. In collaboration with end users, the Core performs comprehensive antibody validation on cells and tissues. The Core trains investigators in basic staining principles and assists with experimental assay design and downstream analysis. Using the Core’s widefield and confocal microscopes, users can image biological samples at all scales from subcellular compartments to live embryos. The Core maintains four whole-slide scanners and provides support for quantitative whole-slide analysis. Microscopy and dedicated image analysis staff provide strong post-acquisition support for simple or complex analysis pipelines. The Core’s optical tweezers instrument and two Atomic Force microscopes are heavily used to study molecular interactions at nanometer resolution, to evaluate the effect of inhibitors on pathologic processes, and to assess stiffness, tension, and rheology of cells and tissues from normal and cancer bearing animal models, as well as tissues from cancer patients. The Core provides in-house research cytogenetics services for preclinical mouse and human samples through in situ hybridization, karyotyping, whole chromosome painting, and optical genome mapping assays.

Intranet

Molecular Cytology’s Intranet site