Posted: June 28, 2011
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry Obtains Sophisticated Microdissection Equipment
The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry recently obtained a sophisticated laser microscope microdissection system, a Leica LMD 7000, thanks to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant of $237,463 obtained by Dr. Xiaofeng “Charles” Zhou, Assistant Professor, Center for Molecular Biology of Oral Diseases (CMBOD) and Department of Periodontics.
Dr. Zhou and his molecular profile laboratory research team are working on biomarker identification for oral cancer progression and metastasis.
“Laser microdissection, or LMD, will allow us to selectively procure relevant cells from heterogeneous tissue samples,” Dr. Zhou explained. With the LMD 7000, “The researcher can selectively and routinely analyze cells of interest down to single cells, to obtain results that are relevant, reproducible, and specific.”
The University has an older, heavily used LMD system at the College of Medicine. Dr. Zhou made the case to the NIH that the new LMD 7000 was needed for the College of Dentistry, because there are eight major NIH-funded research projects and several minor projects in the College of Dentistry needing LMD technology.
Besides Dr. Zhou’s study, LMD 7000 will also facilitate the scientific progress of seven other NIH sponsored ongoing studies in the College, including studies on DNA-damage checkpoint pathways in oral cancer and liver cancer (Dr. Srilata Bagchi, Director, CMBOD); dental enamel formation and evolution (Dr. Thomas Diekwisch, Director, Brodie Laboratory); molecular analysis of stress-impaired microbial clearance (Dr. Phillip T. Marucha, Associate Dean for Research); ameloblastin function in periodontal development and the periodontal ligament (Dr. Xianghong Luan, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Biology); epithelial-connective tissue interactions and scar formation (Dr. Luisa DiPietro, Director, Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration); molecular mechanisms of serpins in oral cancer tumorgenesis (Dr. Steven Olson, Professor Emeritus, CMBOD); and molecular analysis of rhabdomyosarcoma (Dr. Chiayeng Wang, Associate Professor, CMBOD).
“Researchers from several departments in the College will use the LMD 7000,” Dr. Zhou said. “We obtained this state-of-the-art LMD system through a shared equipment grant from NIH, which funds the acquisition of advanced biomedical technologies that will support multiple NIH-funded projects.”
He noted that the LMD 7000 can dissect both fresh and frozen tissue down to a single cell. It can visualize regions of interest; perform contact-free and contamination-free dissections of any size, shape, or thickness for specific research needs.
The NIH grant is called “Laser Microdissection for Molecular Analysis of Oral, Dental, and Craniofacial Disease,” and Dr. Zhou is the Principal Investigator.
For more information, contact Dr. Zhou at (312) 355-0825 or e-mail xfzhou@uic.edu.
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