The Tumor Engineering and Phenotyping (TEP) Shared Resource is the largest space dedicated to cancer research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. TEP supports all researchers on campus and external users.

Our Vision

• To be a one-stop shop for advice, resources, and validation to support discovery or development with biological experiments and analyses.
• To function as a “maker lab” for the development of novel tumor models and accurate simulation and improvement of our understanding of the structure, function, and dynamics of tumors and their microenvironment.
• To become a unique resource nationally.

Our Mission

• To provide access to specialized technologies, cancer models, services, and expertise that enhance productivity, collaboration, stability, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and quality control.
• To maintain state-of-the-art facilities for cell and tissue evaluation utilizing standardized protocols that are subject to strict quality control measures for both in vitro and in vivo studies.
• To ensure rapid availability of novel pre-clinical in vitro tissue cultures and in vivo tumor models for drug screening, toxicity, mechanobiology, and mechanistic studies using emerging fabrication techniques (e.g. 3D printing).
• To train students and scholars in experiments utilizing the TEP.
• To provide expert guidance in experimental design and analysis pipeline to maximize the cost-benefit ratio.

Our Process

If you are new to the TEP, here is an overview of the process of working with us.