2013 Scientific Report

VARI | 2013
Research Interests
As head of the Laboratory of Analytical Pathology, Dr. Hostetter provides histology and pathology review for a wide range
of tissue-based studies performed in VARI laboratories. Services provided include high-quality histology, diagnostic tissue
review, morphometric analysis, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, tissue microarrays, digital imaging and analysis
by light, and spectral and confocal microscopy. Arcturus integrated laser-capture microdissection, isolation of nucleic acids
and proteins from cells and tissue, and whole-cell antibody-specific isolation/purification are also provided. Zeiss and Nikon
confocal microscopes are used. The Zeiss 510 multi-photon scope is equipped with both a Ti-sapphire pulse laser and a
Meta-detector, which enables investigators to view simultaneously as many as eight fluorophores at the cellular and molecular
level. The Nikon A1 confocal system provides static and live-cell imaging. The lab also has a CRi Nuance spectral imaging
system to enable researchers to quantify chromic-dyed histological preparations.
Dr. Hostetter’s research addresses the effects of preanalytic variables in the collection and transport of biosamples. Ongoing
research includes the development and validation of novel liquid-based collection media with a focus on macroanalyte yield and
integrity. This research contributes to the emerging field of biospecimen science and will determine the extent of experimental
biases related to macroanalyte integrity, an ever-constant challenge in both the research laboratory and the clinical laboratory.
Interactions with various core facilities and services include macroanalyte (DNA, RNA, protein) extractions suitable for
downstream assays, with a focus on optimized and standardized protocols. Dr. Hostetter works closely with the excellent
histotechnical staff within the PBS to provide top-quality, accurate, and interpretable results for use in clinical applications.
For example, an immunohistochemical assay on a tissue section detects expression of a candidate protein identified in the
research laboratory; the result is validated with an automated immunostainer that mimics the workflow in the hospital pathology
department, thereby translating research findings into potential clinical care practices. Additionally, tissue microarrays can
be used to determine the prevalence of a given expressed protein in specific tumor types, and standardized measures of
staining intensity can be determined using high-resolution digital image scanners and semi-quantitative algorithms. Interactive
collaborative efforts with clinical partners of VARI provide continuing opportunities and challenges that focus on improving
patient care.
Recent Publications
Demeure, Michael J., Elizabeth Stephen, Shripad Sinari, David Mount, Steven Gately, Paul Gonzales, Galen Hostetter, Richard
Komorowski, Jeff Kiefer, Clive S. Grant, et al. 2012. Preclinical investigation of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel as a
potential treatment for adrenocortical cancer. Annals of Surgery 255(1): 140–146.
Stephens, Bret, Stephen P. Anthony, Haiyong Han, Jeffrey Kiefer, Galen Hostetter, Michael Barrett, and Daniel D. Von Hoff.
2012. Molecular characterization of a patient’s small cell carcinoma of the ovary of the hypercalcemic type. Journal of Cancer
3: 58–66.
Weiss, Glen J., Winnie S. Liang, Tyler Izatt, Shilpi Arora, Irene Cherni, Robert N. Raju, Galen Hostetter, Ahmet Kurdoglu,
Alexis Christoforides, Shripad Sinari, et al. 2012. Paired tumor and normal whole genome sequencing of metastatic olfactory
neuroblastoma. PLoS One 7(5): e37029.
Whitsett, Timothy G., Emily Cheng, Landon Inge, Kaushal Asrani, Nathan M. Jameson, Galen Hostetter, Glen J. Weiss,
Christopher B. Kingsley, Joseph C. Loftus, Ross Bremner, et al. 2012. Elevated expression of Fn14 in non-small cell
lung cancer correlates with activated EGFR and promotes tumor cell migration and invasion. American Journal of Pathology
181(1): 111–120.
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