2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To determine the folate concentrations and folate distributions in the colonic biopsies of approximately 1000 subjects, some of whom have normal colons, some of whom harbor precancerous polyps, and some of whom harbor colorectal cancers. To determine the relationship between colonic folate levels and risk of adenomatons polyps. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) To measure colonic folate in biopsies from patients with normal colons or human study, colon cancer, folate, cancer prevention colons harboring polyps. 3.Progress Report This report documents research originating from an Interagency Reimbursable agreement between ARS and the National Cancer Institute #60-1950-3-043, project number 1950-51000-064-03R. The research is being carried out in this project by Tufts University investigators in the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging under an Assistance Type Cooperative Agreement #59-1950-7-740. The project is being monitored by ARS via onsite discussions with the Tufts investigator who is in regular communication with the NCI Primary investigator, quarterly financial reports and annual performance reports. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the in-house associated project 1950-51000-064-00D, Nutrition and Cancer Prevention. The intent of this project is to determine the folate concentrations in colonic biopsies of approximately 1000 subjects, some of whom have normal colons, some of whom harbor colorectal adenomas and some of whom harbor colorectal cancers. The biopsies themselves are from normal-appearing colonic mucosa from each of the subjects. In the past year, the epidemiologists from the National Cancer Institute that we collaborate with sent us a group of ‘orphan’ biopsies in order to conduct a preliminary quality control study. The analysis demonstrated that our analysis of human colonic folate concentrations is very consistent and precise. Our collaborators then sent us 800 biopsies for analysis. To date, we have extracted the folate from these 800 biopsies. We now need to conduct folate analyses on the extracts, which should be completed in the coming 6 months.