Biobehavioral Research Laboratory - School of Nursing

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Overview

Designed and built by nurse scientists through National Institutes of Health and National Institute of Nursing Research P20 and P30 Center grants, the Biobehavioral Research Laboratory (BRL) examines relationships between biomarkers, behavior and psychosocial factors in order to address health disparities and improve outcomes for multiple health conditions.

The laboratory is a 3,800 square foot, state-of-the-science suite on the fourth floor of the School of Nursing with 14 rooms for conducting physiologic and behavioral monitoring, clinical sample processing, and a wide range of molecular assays. Since its founding, the BRL has acquired additional platforms and equipment through R-level funding, from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund (HEETF) program and through other sources of institutional support.

The BRL offers an extensive range of services using a traditional fee-for-service model. Assays include DNA-, RNA- and protein - based assays including spatial omics. The BRL also works collaboratively with VCU core laboratories such as TDAAC, Genomics, Bioinformatics and other outside entities to provide investigators access to services not offered in-house such as Illumina DNA methylation Bead Arrays.

Services and Offerings

The BRL supports investigators through every phase of a study — from design consultation to biospecimen collection, assay execution and participant assessment.

Consultation and Planning

The BRL team will help you design your project, assist with building a plan for examining biomarkers or physiological measurements and facilitate coordination with other VCU cores as needed.

Sample Collection, Processing and Storage

The BRL offers processing and storage for blood, saliva, cultured cells, urine, hair and FFPE tissues. It houses -80°C, -20°C and -140°C LiN2 storage, two tissue culture hoods and three CO₂ incubators.

Assays

DNA-, RNA- and protein-based assays: SNP genotyping, multiplex mRNA and miRNA panels, spatial omics (RNA and protein) and singleplex ELISAs or multiplex assays. Sequencing is coordinated with the VCU Genomics Core.

Participant Visits, Interviews and Assessments

The Clinical Research Lab (CRL) housed within the BRL suite offers observation spaces and private rooms for participant enrollment, physiologic and behavioral monitoring, sample collection and study activities such as data collection and interviews.

Physiologic Monitoring

Equipment for vital signs (including pulse oximetry), non-invasive/ambulatory blood pressure, ultrasound and additional point-of-care devices.

Phlebotomy

The CRL has phlebotomy stations and personnel equipped for drawing labs. Specific arrangements need to be made for this purpose and this is not a walk-in service.

Equipment Showcase

Select an instrument to explore its capabilities.

Additional Equipment and Platforms

The BRL also supports the following instruments — select a platform for full details.

Our Expert Team

Lathika Mohanraj, Ph.D.
Lab Director
mohanrajl@vcu.edu

Alex Feygin
Lab Research Specialist
afeygin@vcu.edu

Michelle Rhodes
Lab Research Specialist
rhodesm5@vcu.edu

Acknowledgements

If your project with us results in publication, please acknowledge the BRL using the language below. Your acknowledgement helps support our service center.

Data included in this study was generated at the VCU School of Nursing Biobehavioral Research Lab.

School of Nursing