Free Radicals in Medicine CORE

	FRIMCORE Lab staff

The Free Radicals in Medicine Core, FRIMCORE, provides site-specific, selective and reliable measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide radical (O₂^•), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitric oxide (NO^•) and peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) and various free radical intermediates in cells and tissue for investigators at the Vanderbilt Campus and beyond. Major resources are the Electron Spin Resonance spectrometer (ESR) and HPLC system for quantitative superoxide measurements using spin traps, spin probes, fluorescent probes dihydroethidium and MitoSOX. We are located on the fifth floor of the Preston Research Building. The facility is available to all Vanderbilt faculty and other interested parties. We provide full service for ROS measurements and consultations for ROS-related studies.

To provide a resource for free radical and ROS studies, to promote investigations of oxidative stress and redox dependent pathophysiological processes in basic science, translational and clinical research to Vanderbilt faculty and trainees.  Our facility significantly enhances the work of the individual labs and improves collaborations within Vanderbilt. Following services are provided by FRIMCORE:

• ESR studies of superoxide, nitric oxide and other free radicals;
• HPLC-based analysis of cellular superoxide and peroxynitrite;
• Monochromatic fluorescent plate reader-based ROS studies;
• Analysis of vascular function by monitoring of endothelium dependent vasodilatation, superoxide and nitric production.

FRIMCORE assists with preparation, processing of various biological samples and consult on experimental design and data interpretation.

Free radicals, the targets of antioxidants, are a highly reactive species, generated during normal metabolism.  Overproduction of free radicals or decreased antioxidant defense due to environmental factors including chemicals, cigarette smoke, ultraviolet radiation and genetic factors, may contribute to development of pathological conditions such as hypertension, metabolic syndrome, diabetic, atherosclerosis, aging, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, cancer and AIDS. 

FRIMCORE helps to investigate the molecular mechanisms of pathological conditions, to promote clinical studies of oxidative stress and to develop new antioxidant strategies.

Most biologically relevant radicals are far too short-lived to be directly detected in biological specimens. For this reason, FRIMCORE employs spin traps and hydroxylamine spin probes as the most definitive and quantitative methods for free radical detection.  A newly developed HPLC method allows unequivocal, highly sensitive and quantitative detection of superoxide and peroxynitrite by analysis of specific fluorescent products of dihydroethidium, MitoSOX or boronate probes.

FRIMCORE offers the necessary equipment and expertise to provide state-of-the-art measurements of ROS by HPLC, EPR and monochromatic fluorescent plate reader using a board range of the probes and tools for cost-effective, ROS-selective and site-specific analysis.

FRIMCORE continues to develop new methods and improves existing protocols for detection of various ROS in biological samples. Our new hydroxylamine spin probes detect free radicals even in strongly scattering media using minimal amounts of biological material while development of new fluorescent probes increases sensitivity and throughput of ROS detection.  We closely follow potential artifacts and provide validation of our protocols for the most definitive methods for ROS detection and quantification.

To schedule meeting or perform sample analysis please contact us at: