Fostering Collaborative Interactions and Cross Fertilization of Ideas: Our program in metals research spans multiple investigators with varied backgrounds in both basic sciences and population sciences. As such we have developed a fruitful system for the cross-fertilization of ideas and the infrastructure needed to conduct research in a multidisciplinary manner. Our monthly seminars are the primary vehicle in which such ideas are exchanged. As an example, work by Dr. Emily Oken funded by Center Pilot Project ("Maternal Fish Consumption, Mercury, and Infant Cognition" PI: Oken, Pilot 2003) which measured the benefits of fish consumption simultaneously to the toxicity of methyl Hg has directly addressed the conflicting public health messages surrounding fish consumption (Oken, Wright et al. 2005). While nutritionists voice strong pro-fish consumption messages, toxicology messages on the same topic can be contradictory as fish is the main source of methyl Hg in our diet. As pointed out by Dr. Oken, although risk communication messages are best when kept simple, clearly the issue of fish consumption requires nuance. Both Dr. Oken's new RO1 ("Effects of Prenatal Diet and Mercury Exposure on Child Behavior and Development," R01ES016314) which is studying this question in the U.S. and work by Dr. Philippe Grandjean, who is studying methyl-Hg toxicity in the Faroes Islands are now addressing the pros and cons of fish consumption directly (Budtz-Jorgensen, Grandjean et al. 2007; Budtz-Jorgensen, Keiding et al. 2007). Dr. Oken's work also influenced the analysis (conducted by Metals core member Dr. Louise Ryan) of a pooled analysis of Hg toxicity in the Seychelle Islands cohort and the Faroe Islands cohort (Axelrad, Bellinger et al. 2007). By incorporating fish consumption data, the toxic effects of Hg were more apparent in the analysis, confirming observations by Dr. Oken. Both Dr. Grandjean and Dr. Oken have presented at our core seminars which has led to an exchange of ideas and concepts which have enhanced each other's work and are now impacting public health policy regarding Hg in fish and recommendations to the general public.