Clinical Translational Research Center
Biochemistry Core Laboratory

Biochemistry Core Laboratory

The Schubert Research Clinic (SRC) Biochemistry Core Laboratory is CAP (College of American Pathologists) and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certified and functions to more efficiently serve the common needs of investigators by providing them with the expertise, facilities and services necessary to execute most commercially available clinical and research assays.

Research Menu

The Biochemistry Core Laboratory provides an analyte testing service for investigators in the following disciplines:

  • Bone health
  • Bone research
  • Nutritional status
  • Endocrine
  • Cytokine
  • General clinical chemistry

Available Assays

The Schubert Research Clinic Biochemistry Core Laboratory at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center provides clinical and research assays for the study bone and mineral metabolism disorders:

Calcitropic hormones and Vitamin D 

Parathyroid hormone and vitamin D 25-OH are measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) methodology. 1, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D is measured by a competitive equilibrium radioimmunoassay (RIA).

Minerals

Total calcium and phosphorus are measured on an automated analyzer (cobas c 311) using second generation chemistry methods.

Biochemical Markers of Bone Turnover

The assorted formation and resorption markers (BALP,PICP, CICP, ICTP, NTx, PYD) are measured using ELISA methodologies.

Nutritional Status Assays

The laboratory provides clinical and research assays for assessment of nutritional status:
Carnitine (total, free, and short chain) is measured using a radio-enzymatic assay. Prealbumin levels are measured using an automated chemistry analyzer. Vitamins A and E are measured using HPLC methodology.

Endocrine Assays

The laboratory provides many research assays for the assessment of endocrine health.
The various hormone levels (ACTH, Cortisol, DHEAS, estradiol, FSH, LH, progesterone 17-OH, testosterone and TSH) can be measured by CLIA, ELISA, or RIA. Obesity related assays such as adiponectin, ghrelin, leptin, and PYY are measured by ELISA.

Cytokine Assays

The laboratory currently uses ELISA methodologies for all human cytokine analyses.

General Clinical Chemistry Assays

The laboratory provides research assays for many general chemistries using a cobas c 311 automated analyzer. Assays available include lipid profiles, renal function, total bile acids, glucose, C-reactive protein as well as others listed in the Comprehensive Test Menu. Tests not listed but commercially available for the analyzers can be discussed with the laboratory supervisor.

The following assays are available to investigators through the Schubert Research Clinic Biochemistry Core Laboratory at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Details of the assay methods and measuring ranges can be obtained by contacting  the laboratory supervisor.

    • ACTH – plasma
    • Adiponectin and HMW Adiponectin – serum
    • Albumin
    • Alkaline phosphatase (serum ALP) – serum
    • Alkaline phosphatase – Bone – (BALP) – serum
    • Alpha-amylase – saliva
    • Bile acids (total)
    • Calcitonin
    • C-reactive protein (CRP) & HS CRP
    • C-terminal propeptide of Type 1 collagen Type I (C1CP)
    • Calcium (CA)
    • Carboxy-terminal-telopeptide of type I collagen-cross-link (ICTP) – serum
    • Carnitine – serum
    • Cholesterol
    • Cortisol – saliva / serum / urine
    • Cotinine – saliva
    • Creatinine – serum / urine
    • DHEAS
    • Estradiol
    • FGF-23 in plasma (pending)
    • FSH
    • Fructosamine
    • Glucose
    • Ghrelin – serum
    • HDL cholesterol
    • Insulin
    • IL-1 beta
    • IL-6 – serum
    • LDL cholesterol
    • Leptin – serum
    • LH
    • Magnesium
    • N-telopeptides of type 1 collagen-cross-linked (NTx) – serum / urine
    • Osteocalcin
    • Phosphorous (P)
    • PIVKA-II
    • Prealbumin – serum
    • Procollagen I C-terminal propeptide (PICP)
    • Progesterone 17-OH
    • PTH N-Tact
    • Pyridinoline cross-links (PYD) – urine
    • PYY – serum
    • Renin – plasma
    • Testosterone
    • Thyroglobulin antibody (TGAB)
    • Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAB)
    • Tissue transglutaminase – IgA (tTg-IgA) - serum
    • TNF-alpha – serum
    • Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase 5b
    • Triglycerides
    • TSH third generation
    • Vitamin A
    • Vitamin D (25-OH)
    • Vitamin D (1,25 dihydroxy)
    • Vitamin E

Custom Test Development

If you don't see the test you're looking for, you can request the development of a new test. Contact us with the requested test and the Schubert Research Clinic (SRC) Scientific Advisory Committee will review the request. Preference will be given to analyses used by more than one investigator and likely to be used by multiple investigators in the future.

Our Certifications

The Biochemistry Core Laboratory is CAP (College of American Pathologists) and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certified.

Use our Services

Use our Services

To use the services of the Biochemistry Core Laboratory, investigators must submit a protocol through ePas. For more information, please follow the instructions for Services on the Protocol Submission page.

Sample Processing Lab

The Schubert Research Clinic (SRC) provides a Sample Processing Laboratory to accommodate investigators’ immediate processing needs. Samples of blood, urine, stool, bile, etc. can be processed 24 hours a day and are stored according to protocol. Learn more

Contact Us

For questions, or to arrange a consultation, contact:

Julie Graham
Laboratory Supervisor
513-636-2229
julie.graham@cchmc.org