Analytical Support Core: Extraction, Detection, and Interpretation of PCB Congeners in Complex Matrices

 

 

 

 



The purpose of the Analytical Core is to support the analytical needs of the isbrp investigators. Toward that end, the Analytical Core will provide routine and non-routine analytical service relating to PCB sources, exposures and toxicities. As requested by the project investigators, the Analytical Core will also train personnel and assist in sampling design and implementation.

 photo of Analytical Support Core Staff
From the left: Craig Just, Mauree Gibson, Carolyn Persoon, Karin Norstrom, Collin Just, Andres Martinez, Keri Hornbuckle

Core Leader: Keri C. Hornbuckle, PhD
Dr. Hornbuckle is an environmental scientist and engineer with experience in the analysis of PCBs in environmental samples and laboratory animal tissues. She is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She will be responsible for all aspects of the Analytical Core activities, including handling and extraction of samples and analysis by capillary gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry, and various other analytical methods. Dr. Hornbuckle will oversee the development of automated air sample analysis Standard Operating Methods and methods for more specialized applications. She will consult directly with Project Leaders to refine analysis to maximize sensitivity and selectivity for PCBs and metabolites in various matrices.


Core Co-Leader: Hans-Joachim Lehmler, PhD
Dr. Lehmler (not pictured) is a chemist with experience in the synthesis and analysis of PCBs in animal tissues with a special emphasis on the analysis of chiral PCB congeners. He is currently appointed as Associate Scientist in the UI Department for Occupational and Environmental Health. In addition to being Co-Core leader of the Analytical Core of the isbrp, he will also serve as the Leader of the Synthesis Core. This will facilitate the interaction between the Analytical and Synthesis Core.


Core Co-Leader: Craig Just, PhD
Dr. Just is a chemist and environmental engineer with experience in mass spectrometry and phytoremediation. He is an adjunct professor and associate research scientist in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iowa and the former Director of the Environmental Engineering and Science Keck Phytoremediation Laboratories. Dr. Just will be responsible for developmental activities in the Analytical Core including:

-Creating and testing an automated extraction, concentration, cleanup, analysis method for air samples to be analyzed for total PCB congeners;

-Creating an automated, secure, and redundant business logic database with web access;

-Working with the Synthesis Core to make up standards for the total set of 209 congeners. Dr. Just will work closely with Dr. Hornbuckle to assure the appropriate archiving of the analytical data.