High-quality pathology. Reproducible science. Translational impact.

The Comparative Pathology and Animal Models Core (CPAMC) supports rigorous, reproducible translational research in animal models of cystic fibrosis, including mouse, ferret, and pig models. We provide expert pathology services, advanced histology, and comparative analysis across species to strengthen the relevance of CF research.

Our Mission

To maximize the impact, relevance, and quality of CF research by providing expert necropsy, histology, and veterinary pathology services that enable direct, reproducible comparisons across animal models and human disease.

What We Do

Comprehensive Pathology Support for CF Research

🧪 Animal Models Supported

  • Mouse
  • Ferret
  • Pig
  • Comparative access to CF and non-CF human tissues (via UIHC and NDRI)

Key Services

🔹 Necropsy & Tissue Collection

  • Gross (macroscopic) examination
  • Measurements and data collection
  • Tissue prosection and fixation
  • Gross sectioning
  • Cryopreservation
  • OCT embedding
  • Tissue-specific orientation for embedding
  • Pre-printed, sample-ID cassettes
  • 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin provided

🔹 Histology & Histotechnology

  • Tissue processing
  • Paraffin embedding
  • Sectioning (microtome or cryostat)
  • Histochemical and special stains
  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
    • Optimization and validation
    • High-throughput protocol development

🔹 Pathology Expertise & Comparative 
      Analysis

  • Board-certified veterinary pathologist support
  • Experimental design consultation
  • Morphologic and histologic endpoint analysis
  • Quantitative morphometry
    • Inflammation
    • Cellular composition
    • Organ remodeling
  • Cross-species pathological comparisons

🔹Why work with us?

  •  Expertise in CF-specific animal models
  • Uniform, reproducible pathology platform
  • Advanced imaging and morphometric tools
  • Direct comparison across CF models and human tissues
  • Distribution of CF tissue sections and blocks to external investigators

Core Leadership

David K. Meyerholz

Dr. David Meyerholz, DVM, PhD

Director, Division of Comparative Pathology Department of Pathology, University of Iowa

Dr. Meyerholz is a nationally recognized leader in CF comparative pathology, with extensive expertise in CF pig, ferret, and mouse models. His work has driven foundational insights into CF pathophysiology across organ systems and fostered numerous national and international collaborations.