St. Jude Research
Director: Laura Janke, DVM, PhD

Division of Comparative Pathology

Divisional focus

Faculty in the Division of Comparative Pathology collaborate with investigators using specialized model systems in their research to provide pathology support. We are highly trained experts in comparative anatomy and physiology, specialized histology, and quantitative pathology techniques. We collaborate with investigators applying innovative technologies to basic and translational research studies that use preclinical models to investigate fundamental questions in cancer, immunology, infectious disease, neurodegenerative disease and rare genetic diseases. Furthermore, we conduct preclinical assessments of small molecule inhibitors and gene and cellular therapies in xenograft models to guide translational studies and clinical trials.

While traditional morphologic tissues assessment is the backbone of our work, the development of highly multiplexed, high-resolution and quantitative approaches is making it possible to assess the spatial organization of disease biomarkers and understand cell types within niches. Our comparative pathology studies use tissue-based spatial biology platforms for biomarker discovery, multiplex and singleplex labeling, pathologist evaluation for biomarker validation and expression patterns in tissues of interest, and pixel-based image analysis approaches and artificial intelligence application and machine learning for conducting quantitative pathology evaluations.

The use of these cutting-edge investigative pathology tools has expanded our ability to characterize cells through interrogation of the full genome, transcriptome, or proteome in basic and preclinical research studies, with promising studies moving to currently active clinical trials.

Division resources

Director

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    Laura Janke, DVM, PhD, DACVP

    Member, St. Jude Faculty

    Director, Comparative Pathology Core

    Laura Janke, DVM, PhD, DACVP

    Member, St. Jude Faculty

    Director, Comparative Pathology Core

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    Affiliations

    Department of Pathology

    Research Interests

    • Phenotyping of genetically engineered mice
    • Assessment of treatment efficacy and toxicity in mouse models of pediatric cancers
    • Use of immunohistochemistry to aid in the investigation of tissue- and cell-specific molecular changes
    • Use of histomorphometry and whole slide imaging to assist in the generation of objective data regarding histopathological lesions or antigen expression

    Contact Information

    Laura Janke, DVM, PhD, DACVP

    Pathology

    MS 250, Room C5036

    St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

    262 Danny Thomas Place

    Memphis, TN 38105-3678

    (901) 595-3165 (phone)

    (901) 595-3100 (fax)

Faculty

Staff

Joseph Emmons
Supervisor – Comparative Pathology

Pam Johnson
Manager, Comparative Pathology

Kimberly Robertson
Supervisor – Comparative Pathology

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St. Jude investigators have the freedom to focus on making big discoveries, backed by extraordinary resources and support teams. We are always looking for highly motivated scientists and engineers with passion and talent to join us!

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