Core Spotlight with Nayereh Ghoreishi, Developmental Therapeutics Core

Could you tell us about yourself and your current position? 

Five years ago, I transitioned into academia and joined Northwestern University, where I currently manage the Developmental Therapeutics Core (DTC) facility. The DTC provides in vivo translational research support to the NU research community. My team and I are highly skilled in diverse pharmacological and surgical techniques, as well as in the development of various in vivo disease models. 

Could you describe what the Developmental Therapeutics Core (DTC) provides the NU community? 

DTC supports the NU community by providing translational research. Core facilitates the evaluation of promising novel therapeutic agents or the repurposing of existing therapeutics for new applications by offering relevant in vivo and in vitro models. 

Our services include collaborative guidance on study design, including the selection of appropriate models, execution of experiments, analysis and interpretation of results, and preparation of findings for presentation in manuscripts and grant applications. 

We have multiple approved IACUC animal protocols which enable us to support a wide range of new experiments. Our team assists researchers at any stage of their projects—from conceptualization to completion. For example, we can help with experimental design, animal procurement, dosing, health monitoring, and data analysis and interpretation, among other tasks.  

What are the most requested DTC services that would benefit our reproductive scientists? 

One of the most requested DTC services that would benefit reproductive scientists is the use and development of animal models. The DTC has extensive expertise in designing and conducting in vivo experiments, particularly in the context of cancer research. This expertise can be highly valuable to reproductive scientists seeking to investigate a variety of research areas, including: 

• Mechanisms of Reproductive Cancers: Exploring the molecular and cellular pathways involved in the development and progression of cancers affecting reproductive organs. 

• Therapeutics and Reproductive Health: Assessing the impact of novel therapeutic agents on reproductive health and fertility, including potential side effects on hormonal balance or gametogenesis. 

• Hormonal Influence on Disease Progression: Investigating the role of hormones in the development and progression of diseases affecting the reproductive system. 

• Model Development for Fertility Studies: Creating and validating animal models to study fertility, reproductive toxicity, or conditions such as endometriosis 

How is DTC able to serve both Evanston and Chicago campus investigators? 

Our core is located on the Evanston campus in the west basement of Silverman Hall, equipped with a dedicated wet lab, cell culture facilities, storage, office space, and direct access to central animal facilities. Seamless collaboration between campuses is facilitated by a free daily courier service for transferring samples between Silverman Hall and the Chicago campus, as well as a free weekly specialized animal transport service provided by CCM. 

Additionally, if an experiment must be performed on Chicago campus, my staff and I use the shuttle service between the two campuses to commute as needed. 

How would you recommend the CRS community contact DTC? 

DTC is listed under core facilities on Office for Research website: https://research.northwestern.edu/ 

The CRS community can also reach DTC at dtc-info@northwestern.edu or contact me directly at Nayereh.ghoreishi@northwestern.edu