VARI’s Pathology and Biorepository Core integrates anatomic pathology expertise with biorepository and biospecimen science for assisting investigator research. The Pathology and Biorepository Core builds upon historical strengths in standard histology, microscopy, and biobanking, along with novel technologies to test and apply best practices in biospecimen science. This focus on pathology provides complementary emphasis on high-quality biospecimens and interpretable results with which to validate experimental models and extend them to clinical samples, thereby advancing the Institute’s mission.

The Pathology and Biorepository Core is led by Core Director Dr. Scott Jewell, who has extensive expertise in experimental pathology, immunology, and biobanking, and Associate Director of the Pathology and Biorepository Core Dr. Galen Hostetter, a board-certified pathologist. They have ongoing studies on the effects of preanalytical variables in tissue collection and transport that affect the integrity of downstream analytes. The assessment of oncogenes and immunomodulators in tumor tissues and the application of genomic and epigenomic assays for biospecimens are among the services that the core provides. The VARI Biorepository is nationally and internationally recognized, serving as the NCI Comprehensive Biospecimen Resource for the Cancer Human Biobank (caHUB) and providing biorepository services for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.