In order to support the Children's Health Center, we propose to establish a Core laboratory under the directorship of Dr. Bertram Lubin and connected to the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI).
The specific aims of the Core laboratory are: (1) to maintain a centralized facility that will perform necessary laboratory functions for research for research components of the center, including establishing laboratory protocols for the collection, labelling, handling and storage of all biologic and environmental specimens; (2) to appropriately manage biological and environmental samples sent from the Salinas site and either store them for future use, send them to reference laboratories for pesticide analysis as required for the center (outlined below); (3) to monitor collection of samples at test sites and to ensure appropriate handling and transportation of samples to the core facility; and (4) to enter information concerning both biological and environmental samples in a central data system to enable tracking, recovery of samples, and transmission of information. To meet specific aim 1, we will set up the necessary equipment and buy the necessary kids for performance of the required tests, excluding analysis of urine and environmental specimens for pesticides. To meet specific aim 2, a laboratory technician at the Core will receive, store, and ship each specimen and confirm the collection of all samples from each individual in the study.
For specific aim 3, the specifics given in the Core laboratory application describe methods to be used for collection and transportation of specimens; Dr. Lubin will oversee implementation of these specifics. To meet specific aim 4, we will establish a computer data base system to be used by the Core laboratory technician and capable of tracking collection of all specimens and handling of each specimen throughout the course of the study. Establishing a Core for laboratory analysis is an efficient use of resources as CHORI is already capable of performing many of the assays required and can do so without incurring the expenses of an outside laboratory. The magnitude of this study and the multiple sites of biological and environmental specimens in the Core will create an important resource for further study of a farmworker population and a population of children exposed to pesticides.
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