Sanford Barsky, MD, Chair
Pathology is a diverse and evolving discipline that promotes the health of humankind, improves care for the ill and furthers the understanding, knowledge, diagnosis and treatment of disease. The Department strives to accomplish this mission and gain international recognition by teaching students of all levels, conducting clinical, translational and basic research, and providing service to patients, the University and the community. Central tenets of this mission are mutual respect and citizenship by faculty and staff, and the concept that excellence denotes exemplary achievements and continuous improvement of quality.
Ongoing Research Programs
- To complement The Ohio State University Medical Center’s interest in imaging and informatics, the Department has a major focus on digital pathology. Research initiatives include development of an inexpensive scanner that will revolutionize digital pathology, use of target motion analysis (TMA) algorithms that will automate TMA interpretation, and
creation of TMAker that will automate TMA construction.
- The Department’s Human Tissue Resource Network (HTRN) collects, banks and distributes human tissue and fluid specimens for basic and translational research for OSUMC researchers and associated clinical research programs throughout the United States. The HTRN consists of a prospective Tissue Procurement Service, Tissue Archive Service of diagnostic specimens, the Cancer and Leukemia Group B Pathology Coordinating Office, the Pathology Core Facility, the AIDS and Cancer Specimen Resource, and an Adenoma Polyp Tissue Bank. HTRN services are funded by federal,
corporate and department research programs.
- Tumor-invasion and metastasis research uses a novel human xenograft model of inflammatory breast cancer and human cancer cell myoepithelial interactions.
- Studies in the skin carcinogenesis laboratory are increasing knowledge of the function of biological mediators – including prostaglandins, cytokines and reactive oxygen intermediates – during development of squamous cell carcinoma induced by
ultraviolet B radiation. The focus is on understanding differences in male and female skin that contribute to men developing significantly more skin cancer than women. Researchers are also examining the link between therapeutic or disease-induced immunosuppression and the staggering increase in skin cancer among these patients.
- Research on bacterial pathogenesis focuses on the biochemical, molecular and cellular basis of disease caused by multidrug-resistant emerging gram-positive pathogens that
are encountered most commonly in hospital-acquired infection. The goal is to develop a novel antimicrobial therapy to counteract bacterial multidrug-resistance problems, including those caused by biofilm formation on abiotic and host tissue surfaces.
Research Accomplishments of 2007
- Digital Pathology – A U.S. patent on digital image analysis is pending final approval.
- Human Tissue Resource Network – The network was the first group in central Ohio to purchase the Aperio ScanScope® system, of which now three systems are operating, including one at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Biopathology Center and one in OSU Veterinary Pathology. These three groups have agreed to work together. Through 2007, more than 6,600 slides have been scanned using the virtual microscopy system.
- Tumor Invasion and Metastasis – Sanford Barsky, MD, received a U.S. patent on his feline bronchioloalveolar carcinoma xenograft cell line and human inflammatory breast cancer xenograft. He also received licensing through Ohio State’s Office of Licensing and Technology. In addition, Barsky initiated a clinical trial on inflammatory breast cancer in Morocco with Richard Love, MD.
- Ultraviolet Carcinogenesis – Tatiana Oberyszyn, PhD, issued a work response to a Netwellness question regarding “Sun Poisoning” that was published in the Cincinnati Post. An article in the journal Cancer Research that described Oberyszyn’s studies of gender differences in skin cancer also received coverage in The Columbus Dispatch, Toronto Daily News, HealthDay News, WebMD, Dermatology Times, On Campus (the Ohio State faculty and staff news-paper), USA Magazine, The Scientist and O Magazine. Her work also was adapted for a publication for general practitioners in Great Britain.
- Bacterial Pathogenesis – The Division of Microbiology concluded a clinical trial on the rapid detection of Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from nasal swabs
in patients at risk for nasal colonization, the data for which was submitted by Cepheid to obtain FDA approval. The plan is to implement this assay for assessing MRSA carriage in
high-risk surgical patients and others at risk for MRSA. The multiple benefits of this rapid identification method will improve patient treatment and reduce the risk of nosocomial
MRSA transmission.