The Specialty Assay Research Core Lab is an analytical research core designed to provide scientific and analytical services to the Partners and non-Partners research communities. The primary objective of the core is to provide sensitive, cost-effective, and reproducible clinical research assays to investigators for endocrine, diabetes, bone markers, inflammatory and sleep medicine related research in both human and animal clinical research protocols. These analyses include measurement of specialty hormone assays for animals and humans, such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) using gold standard radioimmunoassays; saliva, plasma melatonin and melatonin metabolite in urine (6-sulfatoxymelatonin), and a large menu of hormones on chemiluminescence platforms, such as cortisol, insulin, PTH, LH, prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone bone markers, diabetes markers, cardiac markers, inflammatory markers, cytokines, adipokines and more. The core facility offers immunoassay expertise for several methodologies such as radioimmunoassay (RIA/IRMA), and enzyme-linked assay (ELISA/EIA). In addition, the core offers consulting service, technical support and advice on advantages and limitations of various procedures. The services provided utilize modern instrumentation, run by experienced research assistants in a reliable, professional and quality-controlled environment.

Director: Rona S. Carroll, Ph.D.      
Phone: (617) 278-0177
Fax:  (617) 582-6034
Email: rcarroll@partners.org

Core Projects Manager: Melissa Magnuson
Phone: (617) 732-7188
Fax: (617) 264-6353
Email: mmagnuson@partners.org

Location of Core: 221 Longwood Ave., BLI 453, Boston, MA 02115

Major Equipment:

• Beckman Access-2 Chemiluminescence Platform
• Roche Integra 400 Chemistry Analyzer
• HP COBRA gamma counter reader

The mission of the Specialty Assay Research Core Lab is to provide state-of-the-art high-quality research assays at a reduced cost to both Partners and non-Partners investigators in both human and animal clinical and translational research, with preference given to internal users. The core hopes to collaborate with investigators in biomarkers discovery and to offer new tools to the scientific community. Finally, the core will serve as a central laboratory for multisite studies.

To access the core, please contact Melissa Magnuson or Dr. Rona Carroll. See Contact Information above.