The Shared Core Resource as a Partner in Innovative Scientific Research: Illustration from an Academic Microscopy...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research
• Cellular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Core facilities provide essential services and instrumentation for researchers.
• Shared microscopy resources are increasingly involved in developing complex experimental protocols and analyses.
• This evolution requires close collaboration between core staff and investigators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the intellectual contributions of scientific staff in core facilities.
• To showcase a collaborative model for complex research projects.
• To demonstrate the value of shared microscopy resources in advancing research questions.

Main Methods:

• Described a collaborative project between a shared microscopy facility and scientists/clinician-investigators.
• Focused on a multiprobe immunostaining, imaging, and analysis project.
• Investigated the tumor microenvironment in human breast cancer samples.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed innovative protocols for complex multiprobe immunostaining and imaging.
• Enabled high-level image analysis for investigating the tumor microenvironment.
• Demonstrated the critical role of core facility scientific staff in protocol design and execution.

Conclusions:

• Shared microscopy facilities are crucial partners in research, offering intellectual contributions beyond technical services.
• Collaborative efforts between core staff and investigators are essential for tackling complex research questions.
• The expertise of scientific staff in core facilities significantly enhances research endeavors and outcomes.