Advanced Cell Engineering and 3D Models Core

The Advanced Cell Engineering and 3D Models (ACE-3M) Core provides established services offered previously by AIM and C-BASS cores plus new expanded capabilities for tumor organoids grown in 3D matrices including from patient derived primary tumors (PDO) and from mouse PDX collections (PDxO) from different organ/disease types.  Specific established services include growth of primary tumors or cancer cell lines on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM-PDX) of the chicken embryo to assess growth, neovascularization, invasion, and metastasis (in ovo).  Gene editing and functional genomics services include generating knock-out and knock-in cell lines using CRISPR/Cas9, providing cDNA, shRNA, and gRNA vectors individually or as custom libraries, and consultation and expert advice on genome-wide or subgenome-targeted screens.  The ACE-3M Core leverages sophisticated 3D models with cell engineering technologies to provide enhanced, cutting-edge functional genomics and genome editing services.

Additional services offered by the ACE-3M Core include coordination and assisting with the creation, maintenance and experimental analysis of 3D tumor organoids. A collection of tumor organoids derived from breast cancer PDX mouse models representing the three major subtypes (ER+, HER2+, and TNBC) with available multi-omics characterization data are currently available. ACE-3M also develops tumor organoid models for functional testing from additional organ/disease sites including bladder, liver, and kidney. Characterization and experimental analysis of 3D tumor organoids includes assistance with sample preparation for downstream applications such as STR DNA fingerprinting, cytometer-based tumor cell enrichment, biomarker identification, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, functional genomic screening, omics analysis, microscopy imaging and therapeutic compound screening experiments.