Figure 1.

Conventional and unconventional approaches in tissue evaluation are shown. As illustrated at the top of this figure, tissues may be stained with dyes to reveal structural features, as illustrated in the H&E stained tissue sample on the right hand side. This image shows a DCIS lesion exhibiting the solid architecture. On the lower portion of this figure we illustrate the digital pathology approach used in the procedures described below. In this case separate images of CD44 and CD24 immunofluorescence are collected, then ratioed in silico to reveal a computed image wherein the presence of CD44^hi/CD24^lo cells are highlighted. Thus, a subpopulation of tumor cells can be identified. In this case, an invasive breast disease was studied. Note the presence of a subset of highly positive CD44^hi/CD24^lo cells at the periphery of the duct.