Available Services
•Necropsy
•Microscopic Examination
•Pathologist Services
•Histotechnology Services

Rates

Service Request

Contacts

Useful Links

FAQs

The Comparative Pathology Laboratory (CPL) is a research support core in the Department of Pathology at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucile A. Carver College of Medicine.

Our primary mission is to provide veterinary pathology support to University of Iowa scientists investigating animal models of human disease. Services are also available for extramural investigators.

The comparative pathologist is a fundamental resource when studying models of human disease. Accurate identification, description and interpretation of changes at the gross and/or microscopic level are a necessary component of research involving animal models. Inclusion of a pathologist in a grant application is considered a strength by NIH study sections. Researchers investigating models of human disease are encouraged to partner with the pathologist early during project planning to optimize the success of the project
and to utilize a variety of resources available to the pathologist.



Pathology services

Pathology services are provided by two ACVP boarded veterinary pathologists with experience and training in the assessment of experimental models of human disease.

• Necropsy
• Gross examination with recording of selected organ weights
• Prosection of specific tissues
• Lesion examination and assessment
• Written report
• Digital images*
• Microscopic examination
• Histopathologic examination
• Interpretation of special stains and immunohistochemistry
• Morphometric examination
• Written report
• Digital images*
• Pathologist services
• Gross and microscopic examination
• Professional consultation
• Grant submission and support
• Custom pathology services

* Images are only stored for 30 days.


Histotechnology services (fixed and frozen)

• Tissue processing


• Tissue embedding


• Tissue sectioning


• Tinctorial stains


• Immunohistochemistry

University of Iowa Faculty
The Comparative Pathology Laboratory is a revenue neutral facility committed to providing quality pathology service to UI investigators. The fee structure for the CPL can be found on the link below, which requires that you enter your HawkID and password to view.

UI Faculty Rates

Non-University of Iowa Faculty
For information concerning the fee structure for investigators outside The University of Iowa, please contact a CPL pathologist.


UI investigators wishing to use CPL services should complete the Comparative Pathology Requisition form. For additional questions or inquiries please feel free to contact a CPL pathologist.

Comparative Pathology Laboratory
Department of Pathology
Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
260 MRC
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242
319-335-6650


Contact a CPL Pathologist:

Alicia K. Olivier, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVP
Faculty Profile
Contact E-mail: alicia-olivier@uiowa.edu


Katherine Gibson-Corley, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVP
Faculty Profile
Contact E-mail: katherine-gibson-corley@uiowa.edu


David K. Meyerholz, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVP
Faculty Profile
Contact E-mail: david-meyerholz@uiowa.edu

UI Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Jackson Laboratories

Mouse Nomenclature Guide

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)



1) What species do you evaluate?
We can provide pathology service for nearly any species.

2) Are you trained only in one organ System?
Each pathologist has broad training in comparative aspects of most organs and systems. Even so, each pathologist may have professional interests in assessment of various organs.

3) Can I get a support letter for a grant I am writing?
CPL pathologists often write support letters as consultants and may serve as collaborators and co-investigators on grants. Please contact a CPL pathologist for more information.

4) What eventually happens to my tissues and slides?
Unless specifically requested to be returned to the PI, the CPL will store the materials for a set period of time and these stored materials may be used for pathology teaching purposes. Periodically the CPL will rotate out inventory and will contact the PI prior to discarding of materials.

5) How do I submit tissues to the core?
Fill out a Comparative Pathology Requisition and submit to 260 MRC. CPL staff will contact you about your project.

6) How long should I expect for the analysis of my tissues to take?
Submission of tissues to the CPL core for histotechnology services (i.e. processing, embedding, staining, etc.) are placed into the queue and are processed on a first come first serve basis. Typical time from submission to completion for routine projects is <2 weeks. If tissues also require pathologist examination they are then submitted into the pathology queue on a first come first serve basis. The time frame for the pathologist examination varies according to case load and can be discussed at submission.

7) How do I submit a sick animal or one that died in off hours?
Please contact CPL pathologists to request a necropsy. If a mouse is moribund and requires euthanasia or is found dead after hours, then place the carcass in a bag and place into a cooler or refrigerator (i.e. DO NOT FREEZE) for submission the following work day.

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