About Us

Image of the 2014 LCBR staffThe Laboratory staff have collaborated on a wide variety of clinical studies, clinical trials, and epidemiology studies on local, national, and international scales.

Examples include epidemiological studies such as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS); National Institute on Aging's (NIA) Health-ABC Study; and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine's (NCCAM) clinical trial, the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study (GEMs).The LCBR is the central analysis lab on these studies as well as the main sample repository. We have also analyzed markers of inflammation, fibrinolysis in numerous other projects such as Physician's Health Study, EPESE, IRAS, CARDIA, DELTA, Family Heart Study, PEPI, SHS, as well as many pharmaceutical trials. The LCBR repository currently houses approximately 4 million samples from over 70,000 research participants in more than 160 -80°C or -145°C freezers.

The Laboratory staff participate in study design, production of manuals of operations, field center technician training, design and implementation of quality assurance programs, assay production, data analysis, manuscript writing, etc. They particularly focus on choosing assays to assess the targeted areas of metabolism, inflammation and hemostasis. The lab has broad experience in data transmission and other interactions with collaborating laboratories, field centers and coordinating centers. From a Quality Assurance standpoint, the LCBR participates in a wide variety of extramural quality assurance programs including the Comprehensive Coagulation module of the CAP Survey, use of World Health Organization standards for calibration whenever appropriate, and the CDC certification program for lipids. The LCBR is compliant with external proficiency testing including CAP, CDC and New York State Exams.

Location

Located in Burlington, the University of Vermont and teaching hospital The University of Vermont Medical Center serve as Vermont’s academic medical center. Burlington is a vibrant community located on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and Green Mountains. With year-round recreational opportunities, safe communities and excellent schools, this progressive community has been frequently cited as one of the most livable cities in the United States.

Learn more about the Laboratory Facilities and Equipment.

Message from the Director

Dr. Russell Tracy

Since 1986, using state of the art technology, the LCBR has been dedicated to furthering our understanding of molecular risk factors for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, diabetes & the metabolic syndrome, and other chronic diseases of aging. The LCBR currently uses a wide variety of assays in research settings, particularly in the areas of coagulation, fibrinolysis, thrombosis, and inflammation. The Lab also works in close association with the General Chemistry Lab of the Pathology Laboratories of The University of Vermont Medical Center, whenever general chemistry and lipid measurements are needed for a study.

Russell Tracy, Ph.D.
Laboratory Director
Professor of Pathology & Laboratory and Biochemistry

Read more about Dr. Russell Tracy in Vermont Medicine