University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI)

Services

The BMF has been providing services for over 13 years (see assay list below). Among the most widely used services have been HPLC assays of catecholamine levels (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) in urine, plasma, and platelets; ELISA assays of serum/plasma levels of various cytokines; ELISA assays of salivary and plasma cortisol levels; in vitro culture assays of natural killer cell activity in isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes. (References available on request). More recently, we have determined plasma/serum levels of 8-OHDG, a by-product of DNA damage and repair. Contact the BMF Director, Dr. Frank Jenkins, regarding terms and pricing.

Assay List

• Catecholamines (plasma, urine and platelet)
• ELISA Assays (cytokines, chemokines, viral antibodies, 8-OHdG)
• Cortisol (salivary and plasma)
• Natural Killer Cell cytotoxicity assays (whole blood or lymphocyte)
• Comet Assay (DNA damage assay)
• Urine creatinine levels
• Plasma electrolyte levels

The BMF would be happy to consider any laboratory assay requested by an investigator. To explore the possible use of a new assay or procedure, contact the BMF Director. He will work with you to determine the feasibility of the assay and, if deemed feasible, will work with the BMF staff to develop the assay and gather quality assurance data.

• View an example Assay Request Form submission (MS Word format)
• Download the Assay Request Form (MS Word format)
• Download the Billing Information Sheet (MS Word Format)

The BMF services are available to investigators at any nonprofit laboratory/institution in the United States by arrangement with the Director, Dr. Frank Jenkins (fjenkins@pitt.edu)