Personalized treatment of cancer is rapidly becoming a standard practice.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the uniqueness of a patient that include the individual’s genome, the genome and epigenome of the cancer, disease presentation, gender, exposures, lifestyle, microbiome, and other comorbidities.
The identification of specific biomarkers, signaling pathways, immune cell signatures and genetic mutations within tumors underlies molecular targeted therapies and new insights into cancer treatment.
The Tissue Acquisition and Cellular/Molecular Analysis Shared Resource (TACMASR) is integrated into the University of Arizona Cancer Center and provides support for studies related to advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of cancers for the successful prevention, control and therapy of disease.
The Tissue Acquisition and Cellular/Molecular Analysis Shared Resource provides support and pathology-related services to Cancer Center and U of A researchers on a fee-for-service basis.
We strive to support investigator research endeavors through customized, cost-effective, and quality-controlled services including tissue acquisition, digital pathology, imaging and microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry, and organoid culture.
TACMASR Services
Organoids can be established and expanded with high efficiency from primary patient tumor tissue and replicate much of the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. One application of organoid technology is to identify targeted cancer therapies and understand the pathogenesis of disease.
- Paraffin & frozen samples
- Routine & special stains
Immunohistochemistry (IHC), In Situ Hybridization (ISH) using validated antibody staining protocols on automated platforms
Pathology Consultation
- Experimental advice, quality control, and scoring.
- Clinical and pathological annotation of surgical biospecimens
TACMASR and the Tumor Bank
Through close collaboration with the Tumor Bank, TACMASR aids investigators by collecting, embedding and processing tissue or collecting fresh tissues for analysis through Flow Cytometry (FCIMSR) or organoid preparation.
These services are provided on a fee-for-service basis to members of the Cancer Center and to University of Arizona research investigators. Cancer Center members receive the benefit of priority in access and delivery of services.
Request ServicesAvailable EquipmentMethods Standard Operating Procedures