Definiens to host comprehensive digital pathology workshop at USCAP 2011

Join Definiens on March 1st at the 100th Annual USCAP meeting, for a seminar entitled, “Digital Pathology Image Analysis in Translational Research and Clinical Trials" with special guest speakers:

• Mark Lloyd, Manager – Analytical Microscopy Core Facility – Moffitt Cancer Center;
• Dr. Marilyn Bui, Scientific Director, Analytic Microscopy Core Facility and Director of Cytopathology Fellowship – Moffitt Cancer Center
• Dr. Belinda Cancilla, Associate Director Pharmacology and Manager Histology Core – Exelixis

When: 5:30pm, March 1st
Where: San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter

First Talk:

Title: How to get the most out of digital pathology in translational research?

Presenters:

Mark Lloyd, Manager – Analytical Microscopy Core Facility – Moffitt Cancer Center;

Dr. Marilyn Bui, Scientific Director, Analytic Microscopy Core Facility and Director of Cytopathology Fellowship – Moffitt Cancer Center

Abstract:

Cancer cell heterogeneity has long been accepted to be a factor of cancer progression and resistance to therapeutic intervention. To gain quantitative insights in tumor heterogeneity, many studies have been carried out at the molecular and genetic scale; however, there is little information on tumor heterogeneity at the cellular scale by image analysis. While genetics and signaling networks are the basis of core traits; cell variability with respect to their ability to perform core trait functions under diverse conditions within the physical microenvironment (PME) is what may decide trends in tumor growth dynamics. This study investigates the utility of digital slide scanning in conjunction with image analysis algorithms to evaluate details of the interaction between breast cancer progressions as it relates to changes in the tumor’s physical microenvironment (PME).

Second Talk:

Title: Digital pathology and image analysis in clinical trials

Presenter:

Dr. Belinda Cancilla, Associate Director Pharmacology and Manager Histology Core – Exelixis

Digital pathology combined with advanced image analysis methods has enabled researchers to generate extensive data sets for a variety of samples types, in both histopathology applications as well as analysis of pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers in tumor and surrogate tissues. For histopathology, data generated by capturing whole slides at high magnification together with an automated image analysis approach will be compared to more traditional manual methods for histologically stained samples (hematoxylin and eosin in FFPE sections, and oil red O in frozen sections). For PD biomarkers, analysis of signaling pathway inhibition by examining phosphoprotein expression in immunofluorescently labeled samples will be discussed. Novel applications for 3D image analysis of PD biomarkers in surrogate tissues such as hair wholemount confocal images will also be presented.

Also, be sure to check out Definiens Tissue Studio at booth # 573.