Whole slide scanner for translational neuroscience research

Washington University, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Digital pathology has revolutionized clinical and research applications in the field of pathology and related disciplines. In particular, the advent of whole slide imaging (WSI) has allowed rapid acquisition, high-level comprehensive unbiased analysis, and convenient storage and transfer of histological data from entire glass slides of tissue specimens. WSI is especially conducive to neuroscience research, promoting conventional histological and advanced immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of brain samples. Since 2010, a heavily- utilized WSI system in the Alafi Neuroimaging Laboratory core facility at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) has helped advance translational neuroscience research in a variety of neurological and non- neurological disorders. With increasing demands for Alafi WSI services among NIH-funded users exceeding our current capacity and in conjunction with the planned opening of a new 600,000 square foot WUSM Neuroscience building with over 125 neuroscience laboratories and approximately 1000 neuroscientists, this shared instrumentation grant application proposes to acquire a new WSI system that will further facilitate and expand cutting-edge translational neuroscience at WUSM. The proposed WSI system (Epredia Pannoramic 250 Flash III) will be utilized by ten Major Users and eleven Minor Users performing translational neuroscience research in animal models of multiple neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, epilepsy, neurogenetic disorders, neonatal hypoxia-ischemia, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, pain, and brain tumors. Funded by over 30 NIH grants, Major and Minor Users will account for at least 75% of accessible user time, with the remaining time available for new users and other researchers within the Neuroscience building and elsewhere on campus. As the WSI system can perform automated, unattended scanning acquisition for some studies, we anticipate operation for close to 100 hours per week. The proposed system will be housed in the Alafi Neuroimaging Laboratory, relocating to the new neuroscience building in 2023, and be managed by the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, an interdepartmental research center administered within the Department of Neurology. The Hope Center will commit financial support and resources for renovation of space and ongoing facility expenses, such as core personnel and service contracts, through an existing recharge center and other funding sources. The principal investigator and experienced core support staff will assist and train users in equipment use and data analysis. Data storage and management will be supported by a WUSM Information Technology services group. An Advisory Committee, consisting of Major Users and other faculty with administrative or scientific expertise related to imaging, will oversee the equipment planning and utilization. Overall, a new WSI will greatly promote the next wave of advances in understanding the pathophysiology of the most significant neurological diseases and developing novel targeted therapies for these devastating disorders.