The RadioImmunoAssay Laboratory is a core facility in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics. The main goal of the RadioImmunoAssay Laboratory is to provide support for various radioimmunoassays, enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISA), molecular, and chemical analyses. These facilities and services are available to all members of the department and to collaborators at UMMC as well as other educational and research institutions.

The specific aims of this core are the following:

1. To provide and ensure uniform methods for collection, labeling, transporting, storage, and analysis of various biological samples, including plasma, urine, and tissues.

2. To provide accurate and timely analyses of urine, plasma, and tissue samples.

3. To provide supervision of commonly used analytical procedures, thereby reducing the duplication of effort that would otherwise be required.

4. To provide maintenance for equipment used by multiple investigators in different projects in the department, and to train new personnel in the proper use of the equipment.

5. To provide hardware and software for computerized collection and retrieval of data from radiation counters.

6. To reduce the expenditure of research funds by bulk purchasing of supplies at discount, and by allowing equipment, instruments, and facilities to serve multiple investigators.

7. To provide expertise and equipment to develop new assays and improve existing assays.

8. To provide personnel needed to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations in radiation safety, and handling of blood-borne pathogens and hazardous chemicals.