The Trace Metal Core Facility enables NIEHS Center members to precisely measure a broad range of metals and metalloids in biological samples, including Pb, Hg, As, Cd, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co and others. The Core Facility also provides for the measurement of major proteins of metal metabolism in serum or plasma. Concentrations of such proteins have evolved as increasingly important biomarkers of neurodegenerative, immunologic and cancer-related disease processes.  The protein assays currently in place include lactoferrin, transferrin, transferrin receptor, ferritin, and ceruloplasmin.  This Core provides instrumentation, resources, and expertise to scientists conducting research concerning the role of metals and metalloproteins in disease processes.