Core – Page 2 – Columbia University Digestive and Liver Diseases Research Center

Organoid & Cell Culture Core (OCCC)

The Organoid and Cell Culture Core (OCCC) generates models that replicate the structural and functional complexity of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. The core offers a wide range of cryopreserved mouse and human organoids from various sites of the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach intestine, pancreas, liver), including organoids from transgenic mice, e.g. expressing Cas9 and dCas9. The core also offers a repository of passage-annotated and myoplasma-free cell cell lines, as well as advanced 3D cell culture platforms, protocols and technologies. Through collaborations with other CU-DLDRC cores, OCCC will assist CU-DLDRC members to functionally analyze transcriptional regulators, e.g. through Cas9 and dCas9-transgenic organoids and organoid- and cell-based drug and CRISPR screens. Make a Service Request

Clinical Biospecimen & Research Core (CBRC)

The Clinical Biospecimen and Research Core (CBRC) will provide a repository of stored biospecimens from the gastrointestinal tract and liver. The core provides skilled support in sample management including procurement, processing and storage; histological and single nucleus RNA-seq of human biospecimens; as well as data management. The overall goal is to provide assistance in transferring laboratory research concepts into clinical trials and development with the goal of accelerating research and trials so that it can make an impact in the clinic as early as reasonably possible. A particular focus on CBRC will be to link its biospecimens to services provided by the other CU-DLDRC cores. The CBRC seeks to achieve its mission of link clinical biospecimens and data to novel research concepts through four organ-focused clinical basic teams (CBT) that will connect clinical and basic researchers and fertilize translational research.

Timothy Cragin Wang, MD

Rebecca Haeusler, PhD

Administrative Core (AC)

The Administrative and Biostatistics Core (AC) will support the effective governance of the Center by reviewing operations and finances regularly and overseeing the daily functions of all the Cores and Programs; educational activities; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the CU-DLDRC; as well as the promotion of new investigators. CU-DLDRC members are expected to respond to regular surveys allowing the AC to obtain feedback from members and, if needed, adjust core services; evaluate members scientific publications and funding; and review and adjust CU-DLDRC membership. The AC will also promote collaboration and educational activities with other DDRCCs. These activities will allow the AC to ensure effectiveness, collaboration, innovation and DEI in the CU-DLDRC.