Administrative Core

The Administrative Core serves as the unifying, directing and communicating force for the components of the Skin Diseases Research Core Center. This Core manages the fiscal aspects of the Center, performs ongoing reviews of Center activities, provides guidance and other assistance to its established investigators and those involved in the Pilot & Feasibility Program, and coordinates the Program Enrichment activities. The Core Director and Co-Director oversee the activities of an Administrative Assistant who carries out the objective of this Core on a day to day basis. The Administration of the Center is guided by an Advisory Board composed of eminent scientists from within and without this institution. An Executive committee provides a review of Center functions on a monthly basis. A Research Review Committee oversees Pilot & Feasibility Applications.

Program Directors	George P. Stricklin, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Director:	Lillian B. Nanney, Ph.D.
Administrator:	Linda Case
Mailing Address:	Skin Diseases Research Core Center
	Box 2600, A-2303 MCN
	Vanderbilt University
	Nashville, TN 37232-2600
Phone:	(615) 343-4363
Fax:	(615) 343-4365
E.Mail:	George.P.Stricklin@Vanderbilt.edu

The purpose of the molecular genetics core is to facilitate training and utilization of molecular genetics techniques among investigators in the Vanderbilt SDRC. The facilities and expertise of this Core are available for all investigators who need assistance with quality control or analysis of critical molecular biology data needing independent verification. Core facilities include not only the molecular equipment necessary to perform each of these techniques, but also an experienced staff for consultation on experimental design, demonstration of crucial techniques which might be new to investigators, and consultation on data interpretation. Specifically we assist and coordinate efforts to detect, quantitate and isolate novel regulatory and structural skin associated genes; coordinate and assist in the characterization of novel genes; assist in the functional analysis of novel genes: provide consultation and training for SDRC investigators and the pilot and feasibility projects; and maintain commonly used skin specific reagents, such as a library of RNA from human and mouse skin tissues, normal, diseased, and genetically altered. A core service for the design and cloning of new vectors/ expression constructs, preparation of plasmid DNA, subcloning, and DNA sequence verification is available. We also provide consultation and help with nuclear run on analyses, in situ hybridization, and RNAse protection assays. Computerized analysis of sequence data are available through the Genebank programs, BLAST, and the Vanderbilt Center VAX. The provision of these services should facilitate studies into the etiology of skin diseases and encourage clinical and basic scientists to utilize the clinical material and animal models available at Vanderbilt to further dermatological research.

Core Director:	Susan Opalenik, Ph.D.
Location:	C3220 MCN
Phone:	(615) 343-1931
Fax:	(615) 343-4363
E.Mail:	susan.opalenik@vanderbilt.edu

Morphology Core

The primary objective of the Morphology Core is to enhance the versatility and productivity of both new P&F investigators and established skin investigators by facilitating access to techniques directed at the microscopic analysis of skin samples. This Core will maintain banks of proven reagents (antisera), execute immunostaining protocols, screen new antisera, instruct and optimize in situ hybridization protocols, screen transgenic mice for histologic skin abnormalities, and provide dermatopathologic assistance. This core provides a pioneering/nurturing environment where cutting edge microscopic techniques are initially tried and achieved under the guidance of an experienced team. The core implements the introduction of new techniques with greater sensitivities and generates clusters of pathway-specific techniques (integrin panels, apoptosis markers, signal transduction probes and antisera) to the greater SDRC user group, and hastens the conversion from isotopic based protocols to non-isotopic methods. The Core renders state-of-the-art embedding, sectioning, staining, quantitative morphometry, photographic layout and printing for microscopic specimens on a timely and low-cost basis. The Director and all research assistants supply teaching assistance and advice in microscopic techniques useful for skin analysis for P&F Investigators, Funded SDRC investigators and their post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and laboratory personnel. Cooperative interactions among the Molecular Genetics and Phenotype Cores will occur on a daily basis as snap frozen tissues are delivered to the Molecular Genetics Core or animal samples and/or cultured cells are generated from the Phenotype Core.

Core Director:	Lillian B. Nanney, Ph.D.
Location:	S2206 MCN
Phone:	(615) 322-7266, 7265
Fax:	(615) 343-2050
E.Mail:	lillian.nanney@vanderbilt.edu

Given the remarkable advances in our ability to manipulate the genetic and biochemical behavior of cells and organisms, the previous animal and tissue culture cores have been fused into a Phenotype Core that will assist Center and skin-oriented investigators in the analysis of cell and tissue phenotypes. Much of the technology will facilitate the determination of the role of inflammatory mediators and matrix remodeling in skin injury and repair. Cell culture facilities are largely dedicated to the propagation of well-characterized skin cell strains: keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells. Analytical procedures include routine ELISA and proliferation assays, a novel, high throughput cell migration assay, collagen lattice contraction, and in vitro models of angiogenesis. Whole animal based studies concentrate on the repair process and animal models thereof. In addition to conventional assessment of incisional and excisional wounds in a number of species, the Phenotype Core offers investigators a wide variety of humane models for the investigation of matrix formation, angiogenesis, gene therapy and impaired healing. Comprehensive analysis of transgenic animals under the stresses induced by wound repair is often a key tool in determining genotype-phenotype correlations, and the laboratory is fully equipped to determine, in coordination with the other Cores, alterations in wound biomechanics, granulation tissue formation, epithelialization, angiogenesis and matrix accumulation. The analyses emphasize the quantitative aspects of cutaneous wound repair.

Core Directors:	Jeff Davidson, Ph.D.
Location:	Animal Model: CC-3325 MCN or F404 ACRE Bldg.(VAMC) Cell Culture: C-3220 MCN
Phone:	(615) 327-4751 ext. 5488
Fax:	(615) 327-5393
E.Mail:	jeff.davidson@vanderbilt.edu