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Comparative Pathology Core

Comparative Pathology Core


The Penn Vet Comparative Pathology Core (CPC) is a shared resource of the Abramson Cancer Center, offering expertise in veterinary pathology and advanced services in histology, molecular staining, and digital pathology. Staffed by board-certified veterinary pathologists, the CPC provides expert pathological characterization and validation of animal models used in biomedical research. By providing a comprehensive analysis of tissue samples, the CPC supports the identification of therapeutic targets and relevant biomarkers in translational research studies and clinical trials, helping bridge the gap between preclinical discoveries and clinical applications.

Our Services

Please note that our eSlideManager interface recently underwent a needed upgrade. In order to visualize the scans using ImageScope, you will have to uninstall your current version of ImageScope and install the latest version available online (version 12.4.6). You can use the following link to access it: https://www2.leicabiosystems.com/l/48532/2019-01-03/7bs4rg.

Please follow the instructions provided in the SOP. 

Feel free to reach out to Charley Assenmacher via email with any questions. 


  • Consultation

    Experimental design planning (especially concerning pathological endpoints) and slide review.

  • Histology service
    • High-quality histology services including preparation of sections from frozen and paraffin-embedded tissues, routine H&E and histochemical staining.
    • Generation of customized tissue microarrays (TMA) from both paraffin-embedded and frozen tissues.
  • Molecular staining platform

    Automated staining platform (Leica BOND RXm) for chromogenic immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence or in situ hybridization on paraffin-embedded or frozen tissue sections and cytological preparations.

  • Slide evaluation

    Histopathological examination performed by certified veterinary comparative pathologists with a final interpretative report.

  • Mouse phenotyping & toxicologic pathology

    Complete necropsy (with gross pathology and organ weight) and histolopathological examination of genetically engineered or test article-treated mice and matched controls.

  • Clinical Pathology

    The Comparative Pathology Core offers clinical pathology testing options. Services are offered through IDEXX BioAnalytics.

  • Photomicroscopy

    Composites for publication with legends are formatted in Adobe Photoshop to the journal specifications.

  • Digital pathology and Imaging

    Aperio VERSA 200 platform for whole slide scanning (both brightfield and fluorescent application) and automated digital image analysis.

  • Training & Education
    • Complete necropsy demonstration and proper tissue handling techniques.
    • Slides review and discussion with investigators at a multi-headed teaching microscope.

Access to Our Services

If you are a University of Pennsylvania research investigator interested in utilizing our services, you can register to use the Comparative Pathology Core Service by using your PennKey.


Dropping Off or Picking Up Samples

  • Samples may be dropped off and picked up in the Histology lab, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 3 pm. 
  • Please coordinate with the lab via email (pacostel@vet.upenn.edu and jmburns@vet.upenn.edu) if you want to drop off or pick up samples. 

For further information please contact comppathologycore@vet.upenn.edu.