Thomas B. Ledue, BA, Senior Technical Supervisor
Wendy Y. Craig, PhD, Senior Research Supervisor

The Rheumatic Disease Laboratory (RDL) at the Foundation for Blood Research (FBR) has served Maine physicians for over 30 years. The RDL was created with funding from the Arthritis Foundation of Maine. Initially charged with establishing a research and diagnostic center for rheumatology in the state of Maine, today the RDL continues to use and develop new methods of laboratory analysis to aid physicians in the diagnosis and management of patients with rheumatic, neoplastic, and immunologic disorders.

Over the years, the RDL has taken a leadership role in developing, modifying, and standardizing laboratory methods. RDL's role in the development of immunonephelometry, electrophoresis, and immunofixation has been widely accepted by the laboratory community and these techniques are now routinely used around the world. Merging some of these analytical tools with clinical expertise and a database that spans 25 years allows the RDL to create clinically targeted laboratory reports. For example, a protein assay will typically include age and sex-specific reference ranges with results graphically plotted for easy visualization of abnormal results. Where applicable, tests for systemic rheumatic diseases are grouped and interpreted together with a given patient's historical results, allowing for a rapid review of changes over time.

The RDL publishes the results of its research in a variety of peer-reviewed journals. RDL scientists regularly attend regional, national, and international scientific meetings. In addition, RDL researchers continuously seek opportunities for the development of new technologies in areas of emerging clinical importance. Recent examples include testing for metabolic disorders such as hemochromatosis, serologic testing for Lyme disease, immune-mediated neuropathies, and introduction of cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.

For further information about RDL testing services, contact us by email or at the address below.