Biological/Environmental Indicators & Responses

BIOLOGICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS AND RESPONSES FACILITY CORE – ABSTRACT The Biological/Environmental Indicators and Responses (BEIR) Facility Core provides CEED investigators and trainees with ready access to cutting-edge technology for analysis of indicators of exposure and biological responses to established and emerging environmental toxicants and particles in humans, animals, cells, and tissue models. Biological indicators and responses include changes in cell phenotype, function, protein expression, metabolism, oxidative stress, and structure. These responses are measured using state-of-the-art analytical flow cytometers, a high-speed cell sorter, fluorescence and brightfield imaging systems, an Agilent Seahorse, and a single cell western blotting system. As needs of CEED investigators change, new applications are added to BEIR Facility Core services and new technologies evaluated for future expansion. The Core works closely with the Translational Research Support Core (TRSC), the Human and Animal Exposure (HUMANE) Facility Core, and the other CEED Research Cores on optimization of experimental design for collection of samples from animals and human participants, scientific rigor, and appropriate technology/instrumentation, to ensure the highest quality data. CEED investigators receive preferential access to BEIR Core Facility services, discounted user fees, guidance in experimental design, validated standardized protocols, data analysis services related to the technologies utilized, and assistance with grant applications and publications. BEIR also provides webinars, workshops, and hands-on training to improve the skills of early career scientists in environmental health sciences.