Biostatistics and Biomedical Informatics Shared Resource (BBISR)
The Biostatistics and Biomedical Informatics Shared Resource provides access to statistical expertise for all Dartmouth Cancer Center programs. Services include research design and sample size calculations; research proposals and protocol development; randomization, interim analyses, and statistical data management; final data analyses, publication tables, statistical graphics, and manuscript development; and specialized analyses for geospatial and genomic studies. All initial consultations are free. More extensive efforts may require additional funding depending on how much time is required.
Clinical Pharmacology (CP)
The Clinical Pharmacology Resource supports investigators in the design, analysis, and interpretation of clinical pharmacology objectives in preclinical and clinical studies, including chemoprevention and epidemiological studies. In addition to the biorepository function of our resource, we also have bioanalytical hardware, computer hardware, and state-of-the-art commercial software programs for application to individual and population-based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling, and modeling drug in vitro and in vivo combination drug effects.
Genomics and Molecular Biology (GMBSR)
The Genomics Section provides technologies that enable isolation and analysis of DNA, RNA and epigenetic modifications at whole-genome scale in bulk and in single cells. State-of-the-art capabilities and end-to-end support for single cell and spatial genomics assays are also available. The Molecular Biology Section provides DNA fragment analysis, qPCR, Sanger sequencing and NanoString Technology.
Immune Monitoring and Flow Cytometry (DartLab)
DartLab, the Immune Monitoring and Flow Cytometry Resource, provides services including isolation and cryopreservation of PBMCs and plasma/serum for clinical trials, as well as a spectrum of immunoassays and can also develop customized immunoassays. DartLab also provides dedicated equipment such as cell sorters, flow cytometers, an ELISPOT reader, a Bio-Plex array reader, and a Seahorse XFe96. We provide support for experimental design, analysis, and interpretation and offer hands-on instrument and software training and a biannual Flow Cytometry course.
Irradiation, Pre-clinical Imaging, Microscopy, and Animal Cancer Models (I2M-ACM)
The Irradiation and Pre-clinical Imaging Section is adjacent to the vivarium, bringing together a suite of tools to study conventional and FLASH irradiation techniques and to image whole animals using clinically relevant technologies such as MRI, micro-CT and micro-PET scanners and bioluminescence imagers within a single facility. The co-localization of these capabilities is a unique and distinguishing feature of the Dartmouth Cancer Center.
The Microscopy Section provides state-of-the-art imaging instrumentation and analysis software along with training and expertise to ensure their proper and efficient use. Technologies include point scanning confocal microscopy, conventional bright field and fluorescence light microscopy, and image analysis resources.
The Animal Cancer Models Section supports the generation and utilization of large and small animals for modeling cancer and other human diseases. The section has expertise in generating cancer models using wild-type or genetically engineered animals in immunocompetent and immunocompromised backgrounds, as well as mice with a humanized immune system. The large animal section supports the generation of porcine "oncopig" models associated with skin, brain and oral tumors andtreatment using image-guided surgery, laser interstitial immunotherapy and FLASH radiotherapy. In addition to these induced models spontaneous tumors of cats and dogs can be evaluated and treated using standard irradiation and immunotherapy procedures.
Pathology Shared Resource (PSR)
The Pathology Shared Resource provides Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC) investigators with state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic technical expertise that is performed in a CLIA-licensed, CAP-accredited laboratory environment. The PSR is housed under the umbrella of the Section for Clinical Genomics and Advanced Technology (CGAT) in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (DPLM). The primary role of the PSR is to provide research histology services to DCC investigators that include tissue processing, tissue sectioning, slide staining, immunohistochemistry, creation of tissue arrays and digital spatial profiling. The PSR also provides support for the GMP Cell-Gene Transfer Facility and has created a user-friendly data warehouse to include patient clinical and genomic information as well as fully annotated biorepository specimens through internally developed pipelines (AUGMET)
Trace Element Analysis (TEA)
The Trace Element Analysis Resource specializes in low-level trace metal analysis and speciation in environmental and biological samples. We use inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for metals analysis and several "hyphenated" techniques that couple instruments together for speciation analyses of water, soil and biological tissue samples.