Project Summary (2017-2022)

The function of the Metabolism and Toxicity Core is to provide intellectual input, high quality analytical services, and validated data in support of all projects in the University of Louisville Superfund Research Program (UL SRP) Center. Furthermore, its support and interaction with all other components of the Center assures the overall success of these endeavors. While it is charged to satisfy the existing needs of the current projects, the scope of the Core services is not limited to the requirements of these projects. The Core endeavors to develop leading edge technologies and use them to establish a variety of validated endpoints including exposure biomarkers, disease prognosticators, and therapeutic interventions.

The Core is comprised of three discrete technology-centric components, including flow cytometry, metabolism, and pathology that function seamlessly and efficiently together to ensure that the projects progress smoothly. In addition, the Core strives to educate and train its users through technical seminars and hands-on operation. It organizes informal meetings, which will serve as forums for bringing together users to initiate discussion of novel procedures, applications, and approaches. Finally, the Metabolism and Toxicity Core not only supports the multidimensional needs of the proposed projects, but also facilitates interactions with additional faculty investigators and with other SRP Centers. Thus, the highly diverse, yet integrated services and expertise of this Core are essential to make progress with regards to understanding the likely diverse pathological consequences of VOC exposures and the mitigation of these consequences.