Biomarkers of Behavior Subcore

Directors

  • Hideaki Okochi, PhD
  • Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH

The purpose of this new subcore is to measure biomarkers of behavior focusing on two major areas: HIV adherence measures and substance use ingestion metrics.

HIV adherence metrics

  • Both prevention and treatment
  • Metrics run in UCSF Hair Analytical Laboratory (HAL)
  • Hair levels of antiretrovirals (tenofovir for prevention, developed CAB assay)
  • Dried blood spots (DBS) levels of TFV-disphosphate
  • Urine (yes/no) assay for tenofovir

Substance use ingestion metrics

  • Another field where self-report may not be as reliable
  • Run in UCSF HAL
  • Hair levels of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, etc. & metabolites
  • DBS levels of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) for alcohol use
  • Urine levels commercially available

How to access services and get involved:

  • If you want biomarkers for your HIV or substance use research studies, please contact Hideaki Okochi
  • Biomarkers of Behavior Working Group meetings first Wednesday of every month from 12-1pm at SFGH, Ward 84 conference room – welcome to join (please email Monica Gandhi and Joe Watabe )
Contacts