The Tumor Engineering and Phenotyping (TEP) Shared Resource is the largest space dedicated to cancer research on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s campus. The overarching goal of the Tumor Engineering and Phenotyping Shared Resource (TEP) is to provide access to specialized technologies, cancer models, services, and expertise that enhance scientific interaction and productivity while aiding greater collaborations, stability, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and quality control. Our aim is to be a one-stop shop for advice, resources, and validation to support discovery or technology development with biological experiments and analyses.

TEP aspires to become a unique resource nationally by functioning as a “maker lab” for the development of novel tumor models for accurately simulating and improving our understanding of the structure, function and dynamics of tumors and their microenvironment.

OUR MISSION

• 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, including 3D printing, as required by the CCIL investigators,
• To train students and scholars in experiments utilizing the TEP and to provide expert guidance in experimental design and analysis pipeline to maximize the cost-benefit ratio.