Grant Details
Grant Number: |
3U2CES026561-03S1 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
Wright, Robert |
Organization: |
Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai |
Project Title: |
Mount Sinai Hhear Network Targeted Lab Hub |
Fiscal Year: |
2020 |
Abstract
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Targeted Analysis Resource is a multi-disciplinary, full service exposure biomarker program designed to
integrate inorganic and organic environmental measures into existing NIH studies. In this supplement we now
extend services to include Cancer studies. We hold weekly Executive Steering Committee meetings of the
full Lab Hub team to discuss jobs, troubleshoot workflows, and prioritize resources and activities in order to
provide state of the art service to HHEAR clients. Our team has considerable expertise in matching the
underlying toxicology of targeted exposure biomarkers to the study design, to the biological specimen types
collected, and to the health phenotypes measured. Our lab feasibility assessments help shape the science of a
client's submission towards higher impact studies. We also counsel clients on preventing the use of precious
samples on assays that are deemed likely to be below detection limits (e.g. measuring organophosphate
pesticide metabolites in suburban populations) based on our many years of research experience and
understanding of exposure scenarios. We work with the Administrative Core to coordinate services, including
sample management, receiving, labeling and tracking. We serve as expert consultants with the Coordinating
Center, PI/Clients and other HHEAR Resources. We collaborate with the Data Center in the management of
results reporting, ensuring that data are properly formatted and have sufficient metadata, as well as participate
in the analysis of exposure/phenotype relationships. We use automated robotic sample handling and
preparation methods, high throughput analytical procedures and state of the art inter-laboratory QA/QC
procedures which include real time chromatography monitoring and database management through state-of-
the-art laboratory information management system (LIMS) software. We also automated data processing to
reduce human error. Our methods ensure proper sample tracking and data reporting and avoid mismatches of
samples to results. With substantial institutional resources at its disposal, the Targeted Resource has doubled
the number of mass spectrometry instruments to 14 in the last 3 years, ensuring our capacity to serve the
needs of the HHEAR Network. Our team also conducts extensive outreach and was the only CHEAR lab hub
to organize a National Exposure Biomarker Symposium (held Nov 2-3, 2018 at Mount Sinai and themed on
Exposomics) as described in the Administrative Core. QA/QC protocols and standard operating procedures for
all target compounds have been established to maintain the rigor of our chemical analyses. We developed
panels for elements and organic chemicals that in sum assess more than 200 chemicals. We participated in all
CHEAR mandated QA/QC and PT programs for metals and organic chemicals to verify our precision and
accuracy and will do so for HHEAR. In sum, we process and analyze samples with a high degree of efficiency
and accuracy, provide expert scientific consultation and integrate our work on targeted exposure assays with
the other Hub components all the while maintaining a high degree of productivity and cost effectiveness.
Publications
None. See parent grant details.