Use of buccal cells for genomic research: Lessons learned for the National Children's Study

One of the challenges for children's longitudinal cohort studies is the need for non-invasive biospecimen collection that can provide insight for multiple endpoints. This talk will discuss the use of buccal cells for both genetic and expression data and will furthermore explore the issue of feasibility, acceptability and cost to collect this kind of sample in a longitudinal cohort study. Optimization and characterization of within and between person variability will be discussed as well how such methods can be used to inform gene–environment questions. Dr. Faustman will draw upon her expertise as director of the Pacific Northwest Center of the National Children's Study and collaborator on multiple formative research efforts across the country. The Pacific Northwest Center for the National Children's Study includes a study location in Grant County, Washington, which is currently recruiting participants during the National Children's Study pilot phase using the Enhanced Household Based Recruitment strategy. In this protocol, listing of activities for identification of study eligible dwelling units is followed by residents receiving an advance mailed letter prior to household canvassing to determine recruitment eligibility. Starting in April, this site will move to Phase 2 where environmental and biological sample collection has been added. Dr. Faustman is an expert in toxicology, risk assessment, risk communication, and the translation of novel science for public health application. In additional to directing the Pacific Northwest Center for the National Children's Study, Dr. Faustman also directs the University's of Washington Center for Child Environmental Health Risks Research and the University of Washington's Pacific Northwest Center for Human Health and Ocean Studies.