Development and validation of biomarkers

The full potential of using a biomarker-based monitoring approach as a tool for environmental assessment is limited most critically by the lack of actual field experience. Three elements essential to improving the application and understanding of biomarkers are (1) basic research to provide a fundamental understanding of the toxicology underlying the biomarker measurements, (2) field studies to establish correlation of responses of environmental species to contaminants, (3) laboratory studies to estaolish a cause-and-effect relationship between the biomarker response and the chemical(s). Strategies for identifying critical areas of uncertainty and for designing experiments to improve the understanding and interpretation of laboratory-field research programs to address these issues are discussed. Such clear and consistent strategies will enable investigators with diverse goals to contribute to an understanding of biomarkers that will benefit the entire field.