TMC Digestive Disease Center Tissue Analysis & Molecular Imaging Core

The Tissue Analysis and Molecular Imaging Core (TAMI) was established with the broad objective to integrate histopathology services (histology and pathology training, support, consultation, embedding, and staining) with state-of-the-art microscopy and imaging services. TAMI Core has two specific aims:

• Provide fundamental, reliable, tissue processing and histopathology services regularly used by most DDC members;
• Provide cutting-edge tissue analysis and molecular imaging services and foster their use to meet the dynamic, evolving research needs of DDC members. 

TAMI has two interdependent components that drive its two specific aims.

• First, TAMI Core helps users characterize pathological features in human and animal tissues related to gastrointestinal health by providing access to antibody titration services, electron microscopy, and tissue preparation techniques, such as microtomy, histochemistry, staining, laser capture and microdissection, embedding, and sample processing.
• Second, TAMI Core provides its users with access to instruments capable of imaging tissues down to the level of organelle ultrastructure to identify gastrointestinal phenotypes. This instrumentation includes confocal microscopy, superresolution microscopy, long-term live-cell imaging, and quantitative high-throughput imaging, in addition to other approaches and the use of related software for performing complex image analysis. 

The TAMI Core director is Jason Mills, M.D., Ph.D., with Deborah Schady, M.D., serving as co-director of the Tissue Analysis Component and Michael Mancini, Ph.D., as co-director of the Molecular Imaging component. Both co-directors oversee a staff of scientists and technicians that can consult and assist users with experimental design, data acquisition and interpretation, the production of publication-quality images, as well as provide technical training and assistance to users and conduct regular research forums, symposia, and group meetings that promote interaction among DDC members and facilitate the exchange of new data, methods, and expertise.