Center for Human Toxicology
Center for Human Toxicology Background
The Center for Human Toxicology (CHT) is a non-profit laboratory administratively located in the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
The CHT provides analytical services, education, and research for the University of Utah, the state of Utah, inter-mountain area and the nation. The CHT was established in 1973 as the first independent facility of its kind in the United States to integrate toxicology instruction with toxicological services and research in basic and applied toxicology.
The CHT is an internationally recognized leader in the development of state-of-the-art assays for drugs in physiological specimens. Most of these assays are based on immunoassay techniques, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC/MS). With support from government and private agencies such as the the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Office of Naval Research, the National Transportation Safety Board, the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the CHT has developed methods capable of accurately detecting and measuring drugs such as delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cocaine, selegiline, amphetamine and methamphetamine, codeine and morphine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), naltrexone, l-alpha acetylmethadol, buprenorphine, methylphenidate, ibosaine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), benzodiazepines and other drugs of abuse in body fluids and tissues at nanogram or subnanogram-per-milliliter concentrations. These methods have been applied to the analysis of a wide variety of samples submitted by investigators throughout the country.
The research activities of the CHT rely on the ability to perform state-of-the-art analysis for drugs of abuse, anti-abuse medications and their metabolites in biological samples. With primary support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the CHT is addressing questions on genetic polymorphism in the metabolism of abused drugs and P450 isozyme selectivity in drug metabolism, mechanisms of methamphetamine, and has studied mechanisms of MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. Also, with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the CHT has developed a clinical research program designed to address the disposition of drugs in hair, saliva, liquid perspiration, plasma, blood and urine. Other staff research interests include the development of sensitive and accurate methods for the screening of drugs and the analysis of drugs of abuse as part of transportation safety programs. The CHT's modern facilities and its staff expertise in mass spectrometry allow its personnel to perform metabolism, pharmacokinetic, and bioavailability research studies for governmental agencies and pharmaceutical companies such as Eli Lily, Hoffman LaRoche, Schering-Plough, Sanofi, and Pfizor in support of new drug applications. Through this work, the CHT staff has become familiar with the current Food and Drug Administration requirements for validation of laboratory methods, the application of the those methods to the analysis of pharmaceuticals in biological samples and has developed a GLP compliant laboratory.
The CHT is currently developing a Sports Medicine Research Laboratory. The research components of this laboratory focus on the detection and interpretation of performance-enhancing drug use in sports competion. The service component of the lab is support by the highest levels of professional, collegial, and Olympic sports agencies in the United States. Educational opportunities have been developed for graduate and post-graduate training.
Scientists at the CHT collaborate on research and service projects with other units of the University, as well as public and private organizations, bridging the gap between academic, forensic and medical toxicology needs and interests. Since its inception, the CHT has provided testimony and analytical services for medical examiners, attorneys, law enforcement groups and government agencies. Services provided include screening, confirmation and quantitation of drugs and their metabolites in specimens such as urine, saliva, liquid perspiration and sweat patches, blood, vitreous humor, hair, meconium and various tissues. The active forensic testing and forensic research programs assure that the CHT's facilities and staff are up-to-date with the most current methods and issues concerning medico-legal toxicology.
The forensic staff also supports private companies and government agencies with their drug free workplace programs. These consulting services include oversight of their drug-testing programs, preparing and providing blind quality control specimens and the evaluation of toxicology laboratory performance in the programs.
The CHTs eight faculty members contribute to the graduate and professional teaching in the Department, College and University. The faculty and staff are involved in teaching and training pharmacy and medical students as well as graduate students in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and other graduate programs. Faculty members within the CHT are actively involved in developing and presenting graduate and professional skills in basic pharmacology, and analytical, clinical and mechanistic toxicology. CHT serves as a site for undergraduate and graduate research rotations, graduate thesis work, and training post-doctoral fellows and visiting scientists from around the world. In addition, faculty and staff from the Center have given numerous invited seminars and lectures at national and international meetings, government agencies and other universities. The staff and faculty have been recognized for their excellence and contributions to pharmacology and toxicology. The Society of Forensic Toxicology Educational Research Award was given to Matthew Slawson, Ph.D. for his outstanding graduate research. Diana Wilkins, Ph.D. received the Irving Sushine Young Investigators Award from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences for her research efforts. Dennis Crouch was presented the Ray Abernethy Award by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences for his contributions as a forensic toxicology practitioner. Rodger Foltz, Ph.D. was presented the Gettler Award by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences for his contributions as an analytical toxicologist.
As a center of excellence in the Department of Pharmacology, the CHT contributes to the Universitys mission of research, education and service. The CHT has developed an internationally-reputation in research and analytical services and since its inception CHT scientists have published over 200 peer reviewed scientific articles. Currently, the CHT has 25 employees, 3 post-doctoral fellows and 2 graduate students. The 25 staff includes 6 faculty members and 7 Ph.D. level employees. CHT occupies approximately 11,000 sq. ft. of modern laboratory and office space located in Research Park, University of Utah.
