BREAST CENTER PATHOLOGY LABORATORY
The Smith Breast Center Pathology Laboratory was created to support the research and clinical activities of the Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine.
Located on the 12th floor of the Alkek building, this facility has outstanding personnel and resources to provide comprehensive pathology-related services to the faculty and collaborators of the Smith Breast Center. The personnel include pathologists specialized in breast diseases (human and animal models) and the management of clinical and research-oriented laboratories, as well as highly trained and experienced histology and research technicians. The resources include 1,500 square feet of new laboratory space, modern equipment to support all aspects of routine histotechnology, and additional instruments for specialized technologies such as automated immunohistochemistry, quantitative image analysis, laser-capture microdissection, fluorescent microscopy, confocal microscopy, and tissue microarrays.
The primary clinical services provided by the Pathology Laboratory include the diagnostic evaluation of breast biopsies/excisions and assessment of prognostic/predictive biomarkers in breast cancers (e.g. ER, PR, erbB2, and Ki67).
The primary research support provided by the Pathology Laboratory includes routine histology, immunohistochemistry, and consultation/collaboration with pathologists. Immunohistochemistry is a particular strength, with assays developed for over 200 antibodies against important cancer-related molecules, and a systematic approach of developing assays for new antibodies with a high rate of success. The laboratory also works very closely with the Breast Tissue/Tumor Bank of the Smith Breast Center, which, together, provides investigators with appropriate samples for their research.
All services offered by the Pathology Laboratory are supported by the Breast Center and a variety of research grants awarded to its faculty, including one of only nine Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Breast Cancer granted by the National Institute of Health.
Descriptions of and access to the services offered by the Pathology Laboratory can be obtained through our web-based Pathology Work Request and Tracking System.