Diabetes Research Core

Overview of Services

The ATPI Core provides training and access to histological and imaging services to support diabetes-related research at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The facility is directed by Lori Zeltser, Ph.D. and is managed by Dominique Bozec. The ATPI Core has 2 full-time employees that are dedicated/certified histotechnologists who have experience in processing and staining cells, tissues, organs and ES- or iPS-derived organoids that regulate glucose homeostasis and energy balance, including the brain, liver, pancreas, gut, vasculature, muscle, fat, hematopoietic system, heart and bone. It also provides training and access to equipment for those interested in sectioning or staining their own samples.

Histopathology Services

• Tissue processing: Formalin fixation, embedding and sectioning for paraffin samples
• Sectioning: Frozen, paraffin and vibratome sectioning
• Routine histological stains: H&E, PAS, Oil Red O on sections from metabolically relevant organs and organoids, including pancreas, liver, brain, fat, gut and bone
• Custom Stains: Fluorescent immunohistochemistry and histochemical staining with up to four colors
• Consultation: Experimental design that considers tissue fixation, embedding, primary and secondary antibodies for immunohistochemistry, microscopy and imaging needs

Training and Access to Histology Equipment

• Cryostats: Microm HM 505E and Cryostar NX70 HOMVP
• Vibratome: Leica VT1200 S

Training and Access to Microscopy Equipment

• Epifluorescent microscope: Nikon Eclipse 80i
• Fluorescent Stereomicroscope: Leica MZ16 F
• Confocal microscope: Zeiss LSM 710

The hands-on training session (2 hours) includes the instrument startup/shutdown, software usage, and data storage.

Please acknowledge 5P30DK063608 in publications supported by the Diabetes Reserach Center Advanced Tissue Processing and Imaging Core

For questions about eligibility to utilize the ATPI Core, please reach out to Dr. Lori Zeltser.

Location and hours of operation

Links and Resources

1. Columbia Diabetes Research Center

Contacts