The Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention is a joint effort of Preventive Cardiology, Molecular Biology, and the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Coordinating Center. Our focus is to provide laboratory blood tests for researchers and Clinical Trials. We are also developing new markers of cardiac risk and disease. The testing we provide ranges from the routine (e.g. cholesterol, liver enzymes, high sensitivity CRP) to the esoteric (cytokines such as IL-6, thrombosis related such as PAI-1) to tests available nowhere else (Myeloperoxidase, nitrotyrosine, and arginine metabolites). For studies we provide input on protocols, sample collection, prepare collection kits, arrange logistics, specimen storage, specimen analysis and data management. The Center, with the section of Preventive Cardiology, is also involved in programs to increase wellness.
Prevention Research Laboratory (PRL)
Director - Frederick van Lente, PhD
Manager - Alan Pratt
Assistant Manager - Sarah Neale
PRL is a clinical reference laboratory in Preventive Cardiology under the direction of Frederick van Lente, Ph.D. that specializes in assays measuring markers of inflammation that are predictive for heart disease.
Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
Director: Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD
The Molecular Diagnostic Lab is a research laboratory in the Department of Cell Biology that studies:
- The role of myeloperoxidase in oxidant stress and atherosclerosis
- Eosinophil peroxidase and the origins of tissue injury in asthma
- Pathways mediating oxidative damage in cancer
Under the direction of Stanley Hazen, MD, PhD the Molecular Diagnostic Lab generates independent research and works in partnership with PRL to develop and validate new assays related to atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Mass Spectrometry II Core Laboratory
Director: Renliang Zhang MD, PhD
The Mass Spectrometry II Core Laboratory is designed to meet the growing needs of investigators for development of analytical methods for identification and quantification of biomarkers in plasma, tissue and other biological materials. The main focus of this core is quantitative analysis of small molecules in complex matrices and structural characterization of small compounds. The core offers the service for the investigators to develop analytical methods for:
- Identification of novel bioactive compounds
- Quantification of biomarkers in biological materials like plasma, urine and tissues
The Mass Spectrometry II Core is equipped with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Micromass Quattro Ultima) and two HPLC systems:
- The mass spectrometer has two ionization sources available: electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). The effective mass range is 4180 Da for singly charged species
- Waters model 2690 HPLC equipped with a Waters 996 Photodiode Array Detector and a 5 tray, 24 sample/tray auto-sampler. This instrument is coupled with Quattro Ultima mass spectrometer
- Beckman 126 HPLC equipped with a 96 samples auto-sampler, both a 168 Photodiode Array Detector and a Jasco FP-1520 fluorescence detector.
Why use the Center for Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Prevention?
The Center has an outstanding level of accuracy and reliability. For example, our lipid assays are standardized with the Center for Disease Control and the Lab is accredited by the College of American Pathologists and C.L.I.A. Analyses for each study are run in ways to reduce variance and close attention is paid to each specimen. Costs are kept to minimum while ensuring the finest quality. Our test menu is constantly increasing, feel free to contact us for details.
In the area of Cardiac Research there is a great deal of interest in inflammation and compounds related to inflammation. Indeed one can argue that almost every disease has an inflammatory component. Many inflammatory related assays are now available for research studies. The best known is High Sensitivity-CRP which has been called “the new Cholesterol”. We are truly excited about Dr Hazen’s new markers of Cardiovascular Disease. The Center has taken that one step further with MPO or Myeloperoxidase which may prove to be the next “new cholesterol”. MPO is active agent in inflammation and tissue damage. The Center also measures oxidatively modified Amino acids which are markers of tissue damage.
Contact Us
Prevention Research Lab
Sarah Neale MS neales@ccf.org
Mike Pepoy BS pepoym@ccf.org
Alan Pratt BS MT (ASCP) pratta@ccf.org
Phone: 216.444.5447 and 216.444.3136
Molecular Diagnostics Lab
Phone: 216.445.1900 (Lab)
Mass Spectrometry II Core Lab
Renliang Zhang MD, PhD Zhangr1@ccf.org
Reviewed: 9/08