Human Translational Core

The Human Translational Core facilitates bench-to-bedside translational studies by providing members of the San Diego Digestive Diseases Research Center with ready access to human biospecimens of well-characterized cohorts of patients with digestive diseases. The Core provides clinical expertise and is led by highly accomplished clinical and translational researchers from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Gastroenterology, with Dr. Rohit Loomba as Director, and Dr. Brigid Boland as Co-Director.

The biorepository uses state-of-the-art data management resources. Center members can request biospecimens from controls and well-characterized cohorts of patients with Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Biospecimens from patients with other specific digestive diseases can be requested and will be reviewed by the Core. In addition, the Core offers biostatistical and pathological consultation services, as well as training opportunities. A board-certified GI pathologist, Dr. Mojgan Hosseini, assists with the interpretation of human histology. Accomplished biostatisticians, Dr. Xin Tu and Dr. Xinlian Zhang provide biostatistical support on study design, sample-size estimation, data analysis, and machine learning. The Core also provides training opportunities for IRB protocol writing, biostatistical analysis, power calculation, tissue processing, immunohistochemistry, and histological evaluation.

This Core interacts with and complements the Preclinical Models and Microbiomics and Functional Genomics Cores by facilitating research to relate biomarkers and preclinical data from animal models to specific outcomes in patients with digestive diseases.

Services Offered

• Clinical consultation services
• Human biospecimens include needle biopsy of liver tissue and endoscopic biopsy of gastrointestinal tissues, whole blood, plasma, serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), and stool
• Biostatistical and pathological consultation services

To obtain patient-derived materials or other services, use this Google Form link to complete a service request: Human Translational Sample Request Form

When you submit the form, notify the Center by sending an email to: sddrc@health.ucsd.edu

New Service Offered: Shared Pathology Resource

The Human Translational Core is now providing access to archived clinical pathology samples from the UC San Diego Medical Center. Based on availability, unstained and H&E stained slides will be provided.

To obtain samples, please use this Google Form link to complete a request form:
Pathology Sample Request Form

When you submit this form, notify the Center by sending an email to: sddrc@health.ucsd.edu