The focus of the BPA Lab is to determine the biological and genetic pathways that regulate physical activity in humans and is directed by Dr. J. Timothy Lightfoot.  The BPA lab uses both human and mouse models in both genetic and proteomic investigations.  The BPA is housed in the Read Building in 1951 sq. feet broken into several smaller sub-laboratories. These sublaboratories serve several specific functions enabling the PI to bring a variety of techniques to bear on research questions.

Two of the sublaboratories are wet laboratories (each 143 sq ft) fully outfitted with equipment for a wide-range of cellular and molecular techniques (e.g. several centrifuges, Millipore Milli-8 ultrapure water source, two Eppendorf Thermocylers, Nanodrop 1000 Spectrophotometer, and ABI 7900 Genetic Analyzer).  Another sublab is a 143 sq ft  ‘clean’ RNA procedure room dedicated to RNA extraction.  One sub-laboratory is dedicated to animal testing and includes a GE Lunar Piximus small animal densitometer.  Additionally, the laboratory has the capability of monitoring the activity level of approximately 150 mice at a time through running-wheel set-ups that have been used extensively in past projects.

The complex also includes an applied human exercise physiology research lab (196 sq ft) with several different measurement technologies available (e.g. metabolic stress testing, hypovolemic stress testing, daily physical activity monitoring).  Additionally, the laboratory includes a ‘flex-space’ mixed use lab space (approximately 200 sq ft) and a 126 sq ft. freezer/refrigerator room with 2 Thermo -80°C freezers, 2 -20°C freezers, and two refrigerators."