Biomedical Analysis Laboratory (BAL)

The Biomedical Analysis Lab (BAL) is a core laboratory involved in a variety of both basic and clinical research projects that provides services to investigators at different Nemours sites as well as through external collaborations. The BAL is under the direction of Dr. Prabhakaran (Babu) Balagopal, PhD, FAHA, and staffed by Shawn Sweeten, Astride Altomare, and Karl Mann. The BAL provides consultation on experimental design, analysis of samples, data interpretation, training, and mentoring of students and fellows. The lab applies a multidisciplinary approach to explore various changes in the human body at the molecular and cellular levels. To follow these changes in children, the laboratory uses numerous state-of-the-art techniques including stable isotope (non-radioactive) dilution techniques and mass spectrometry and assays based on high performance liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, and multiplex assay systems. These techniques are especially powerful in studying diverse conditions in children.