Superfund Research Program

Technical support

Project Leader: Greg Higgins
Grant Number: P42ES010338
Funding Period: 2000-2006

Project-Specific Links

Final Progress Reports

Year:   2005 

Research Problem: The Technical Support Core is charged with providing a common source of specialized facilities, services, and expertise to the individual basic research projects within their SBRC, thereby avoiding duplication of effort and improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Accomplishments: The Technical Support Core provided the following support services to projects A1 (Assessment of volatile organic compound exposure near Superfund sites), A2 (Biomarkers of neurotoxicant exposure & neurodegeneration), and A3 (Neurotoxic and mutagenic actions of Superfund chemicals). All elements of the technical support core were available to students from the training core to provide training and assistance as needed in their research work.  Cell and tissue culture maintained the facilities and equipment necessary for completion of tissue culture experiments in the SBRP projects.  Facilities were provided to Project A3 for the growth of primary cerebellar, astrocyte, and granulocyte cultures. The core provided facilities and support and trained project technicians in techniques relevant to the growth and maintenance of cell cultures and lines. Glassware washing and sterilization services were also provided as required by SBRP users of the facility. Morphology and microscopy provided the facilities and equipment necessary for whole-body chemical perfusion, gross and fine nervous system dissection, tissue sampling and embedding, preparation of tissue blocks, microtomy, slide preparation, microscopic examination of cells and tissue sections, and histochemical and immunocytochemical tissue analysis. Activities included training research assistants from Projects A2, and A3 in the use of core equipment and in techniques for tissue fixation, processing, sectioning, staining, and mounting.  Analytical chemistry helped study biomarkers of neurotoxicant exposure (Project A2).  The analytical chemistry component applied a GC/MS method to detect 1,2-diethylbenzene and 1,2-diacetylbenzene and associated pyrroles in binding experiments with amino acids and glutathione. Molecular biology provided equipment and facilities for SBRP projects requiring molecular biology techniques. The individual faculty investigators from the appropriate project requiring molecular biology services directed tasks performed within the molecular biology component. Statistical analysis provided assistance with experimental design and data analysis questions as identified by project investigators in all CROET-based SBRP projects. Media and communications supported the needs of the faculty and staff of the CROET-based SBRP project.  The core also completed photography and graphics in support of the CROET-based SBRP project Website and related descriptive printed materials.  The core took still and video photographs of experimental animals for publications and planned publications and prepared numerous slide presentations and posters for conference presentation.  The core also supported the graphics needs of the multidisciplinary graduate students supported by the Training Core.

 Significance: These support services are essential for the success of the individual research and training programs.