ABSTRACT
Advancing the potential application of biomarkers must, therefore, be a collaborative enterprise integrating the skills of a variety of specialists. Although a number of individual researchers have evaluated specific biomarkers in laboratory and field experiments, much of this research has been limited to either laboratory exposures of animals to a limited number of well-described model contaminants or measurements of a single biomarker response in field-collected animals. Core capabilities for measuring a fairly wide array of candidate biomarkers do exist at federal agencies, national laboratories, and universities and sufficient experience exists for making rational choices about selection and sampling of animal species. Experience in different types of environments and selection of sensitive and informative biomarkers derived in the first task will provide a foundation for expanding to more complex scenarios. Successful implementation of the biomarker approach to environmental monitoring requires this gradual building of capabilities and understanding.
