Project Number: 5442-32000-010-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Mar 20, 2001
End Date: Aug 01, 2005

Objective:
To identify and quantify biologically active compounds, particularly hormonally active agents [eg. endocrine disruptors, drugs, and sources that effect food safety, agricultural activity and the food chain. Areas of focus are the hormonally active agents, drugs, and other chemicals that may create hazards because of their biological activity including amphibian declines and deformities.

Approach:
Through collaboration with other laboratories, water or food known to contain a biologically active compound(s) (i.e. toxins, pharmaceuticals, estrogenic substances, etc.) will be analyzed to characterize the nature of the biologically active compound(s). Initially, this may involve developing an assay for the biologically active compound, such as a bioassay. Subsequent, separation techniques will be utilized to purify the biologically active compound. Once isolated, immuno, instrumental, or analytical analyses will be developed to quantitate the biologically active compound in water or food. Previously was 5442-42000-005-00D (05/01).