Precision Nutrition Core

Genomics and Energy Metabolism Core. The UNC NORC Genomics and Energy Metabolism (GEM) Core provides critical infrastructure for genomic, microbiome, and metabolic phenotyping for members conducting research across a range of model systems from studies at the human level to animal and cellular models. The core is led by Dr. Saroja Voruganti, who has strong expertise in providing services related to a wide range of preclinical and clinical projects. Dr. Voruganti is supported by senior faculty with expertise in each of the GEM Core subcores, which are: Nutrigenomics (NGx), Microbiome, and Metabolic Phenotyping. The GEM Core provides scientific, technical, and interdisciplinary expertise and resources needed to advance nutrition and obesity research at UNC. The Core integrates with other NORC Cores to offer expertise in study design, technical expertise, and training activities. The Core extensively guides investigators through a well-defined workflow from study onset to study completion, ensuring strong rigor and reproducibility. In addition, the core ensures strong quality control of instrumentation. The GEM Core provides services on the Chapel Hill main campus at the UNC Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, NC. Key services provided by the GEM Core are: DNA and RNA extraction from tissues, fecal metabolite assessment – as well as customized, cutting-edge research tools – including whole genome, exome, and targeted gene sequencing; RNA-sequencing; microbiota characterization, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomics; targeted genotyping using PCR-based assays; array- based gene expression profiling; and bisulfide sequencing for methylation patterns in humans and mouse models. Furthermore, cutting edge resources are available for murine studies of energy balance and locomotor activity as well as metabolic phenotyping of live cells. Leveraging the resources available at the UNC NORC, the GEM Core fills a critical gap in nutrition and obesity research at UNC by providing investigators with the expertise and resources to investigate the role of host genetics, gut microbiome, and energy metabolism in response to nutritional exposures.