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One of the long-term service cores managed by the Respiratory Diseases Unit is the Inhalation Exposure Core. Under the technical direction of a core manager, this unit has developed the capability of exposing a wide variety of biological entities, from cells to populations of organisms (as small as house flies and as large as sheep), to a great range of compounds that can be delivered by inhalation.
The objectives of the exposure core are to: expose animals or in vitro preparations to selected types and concentrations of air pollutants, accurately and in a carefully controlled manner; provide logistical and technical support in ensuring experimental regimens are implemented correctly; develop methods of inhalation exposure and atmosphere characterization; and develop methods of allergen characterization and assess allergic exposure response.
The expertise of the Inhalation Exposure Core is available for conducting exposures to oxidant gases, reactive gases, aerosols, mixed gas and aerosols (including environmental tobacco smoke), allergens, microbes, and various drug-containing entities, such as DNA preparations, antibodies, endotoxin or liposomes. The core carefully monitors and maintains test atmospheres to produce very well defined conditions.
In addition, a pulmonary function laboratory with extensive capabilities for testing nonhuman primates has been established under a pulmonary physiologist, to assess function in animals undergoing exposure. Relatively non-invasive methods, including pulmonary transfer impedance, are used for measuring airway reactivity and other physiological responses of the respiratory system to allergen and other air pollutant inhalation.
For information please contact:
Email:
(530) 752-0447
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