Developmental Therapeutics Core

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Mission

Under the umbrella of the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute (CLP), the Developmental Therapeutics Core (DTC) provides a fully equipped and expertly staffed operational laboratory to support translational research. The DTC fulfills the needs of the scientific community for exploratory drug development, mechanistic in vivo studies, and therapeutic testing. The core’s goal is to advance novel therapeutic strategies—including small molecules, biologics, and devices—efficiently from basic research to the clinic, with strong emphasis on oncology, neuroscience, and reproductive biology.

Services Offered

DTC offers comprehensive support for preclinical oncology studies, including:

• In vivo tumor modeling using subcutaneous, orthotopic, and metastatic models
• Syngeneic and humanized mouse models for immuno-oncology and immune-competent studies
• Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) 33 models across 10 cancer types, with ongoing expansion
• Real-time tumor monitoring using the Biopticon Tumor Volume Analyzer and Data Manager, enabling precise, automated, and reproducible tumor volume measurement
• Multiplex cytokine and biomarker assays from serum or tissue for pharmacodynamic and immune response evaluation
• Combination studies, MTD determination, and schedule optimization for mono- or multi-agent treatments

Core personnel provide full study support: experimental design, IACUC protocol drafting, animal procurement, tumor cell inoculation, treatment administration, longitudinal tumor monitoring, and data analysis.

Proliferation and Apoptosis Assays
More than 150 human and murine cell lines (n=9) are available for in vitro drug screening. We assess IC50 values, cytotoxicity, and proliferation, including in 3D cultures and organoid systems, as well as treatment effects on cell death pathways.

Exploratory Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology
Pharmacokinetic profiling is integrated into treatment studies through tissue collection at multiple time points. We determine MTD and perform repeated dose (7- or 14-day) and continuous infusion studies via Alzet osmotic mini-pumps to support safety and exposure assessment.

Device Implantation and Monitoring
The DTC supports IACUC-approved in vivo testing of implantable devices, including surgical placement, compatibility assessments, toxicity monitoring, and multi-modal imaging in collaboration with imaging cores.

Neuroscience and Behavioral Testing
Capabilities include rat EEG electrode implantation for real-time neural activity monitoring and formalin test setups for assessing nociceptive behavior. These models can be paired with therapeutic interventions to study neuroactivity, pain, or inflammation.

Reproductive Research Models
DTC offers comprehensive support for reproductive biology studies in rodents, with services designed to assess fertility, endocrine function, and developmental outcomes. Core capabilities include estrous cycle monitoring, collection of blood and reproductive organs, and behavioral observations related to mating and nesting. These services support detailed evaluations of reproductive function and are frequently integrated with therapeutic testing, toxicology, and hormone-related efficacy studies to advance translational research in hormone-dependent diseases and developmental biology.

Systemic Drug Administration
Routes include oral gavage, intraperitoneal (IP), intravenous (IV), and continuous infusion (e.g., osmotic mini-pumps), with core support for dosing schedules and technique optimization.

The Developmental Therapeutics Core (DTC) is a central resource for preclinical drug development at Northwestern University, offering comprehensive support to advance innovative therapeutics and diagnostics from discovery to clinical translation. As part of the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, DTC has played a pivotal role in accelerating both basic and clinical cancer research, with specialized expertise in translational oncology.