Biomarkers

Introduction   |   Current Reseach   |   Realisations

To support research in toxicology and environmental epidemiology, the RRSE set up a Biomarker Unit. This platform is located in Québec City, in the toxicology laboratory of the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ).

This unit’s mandate is to develop, validate and promote the application of biological markers as tools for monitoring environmental contamination or for measuring intermediate events between exposure and disease in epidemiological studies (Figure 1).

Figure 1 : Different types of biomarkers in the pathogenic sequence between exposure and disease

To find out the specific biomarkers tested in the Unit, just click on the appropriate zones in Figure 1 or go directly to the following table. It presents various biomarkers of interest in environmental epidemiology. Some biomarkers have already been developed, while others are being developed.

Furthermore, the INSPQ’s toxicology laboratory, where our unit is located, has vast experience in analytical toxicology (heavy metals, pesticides, industrial products, medications and drugs). These analyses are offered to RRSE researchers at a preferential rate (consult the intranet for the directory of analyses offered).