New Cryostat Enhances Precision in Cancer Research at IICD

By
Brittani Wright
September 18, 2024

The Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics (IICD) is excited to announce the acquisition of the Leica CM3050 S Research Cryostat, a cutting-edge instrument that will play a significant role in the Institute's research efforts. This tool is designed to create tissue sections only a few microns thick, enabling researchers to analyze tissue samples with remarkable precision.

The cryostat is crucial for projects that require detailed microscopic analysis of tissue structure and cellular composition. In particular, it will support research in spatial transcriptomics, a method used to study the spatial distribution of gene expression within tissues. By producing ultra-thin sections, the Leica CM3050 S Research Cryostat allows scientists to explore how genes behave in specific regions of tissue, offering deeper insights into disease progression and treatment response.

The cryostat’s high throughput and consistency make it indispensable for studies requiring a large number of sections, such as serial tissue cutting. It significantly reduces the physical strain associated with manual sectioning, while maintaining reproducibility, which is critical for producing reliable research outcomes. This new addition will streamline workflows in pathology, histology, molecular biology, and other related fields.

A high-resolution image of tissue cells sectioned using a cryostat.

Several key IICD research projects will directly benefit from the Leica CM3050 S Research Cryostat. Researchers in the Azizi and McFaline-Figueroa labs, for instance, will use the cryostat to prepare tumor tissues derived from in vivo experiments, as well as from patient biopsy samples. These sections will be used in spatial transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry studies, which are crucial for mapping gene expression and visualizing proteins in cancer cells.

The insights gained from these analyses are expected to significantly enhance our understanding of cancer development, treatment responses, and resistance mechanisms, ultimately leading to more targeted and effective therapies.

The Leica CM3050 S Research Cryostat represents a major step forward for IICD’s research capabilities, supporting our mission to uncover new pathways in cancer dynamics and improve patient outcomes.