Animal Model Research Core

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT - ANIMAL MODEL RESEARCH CORE The goal of the Animal Model Research (AMR) Core of the NORC is to facilitate the nutrition and obesity- related research of investigators using animal models to generate transformational insights into human disease. Since 1999, the Core has provided sophisticated approaches for characterizing animal models for nutrition and obesity research to support investigators. The AMR Core has responded to the evolving needs of NORC investigators by introducing new services, adopting novel technologies, and refinining training programs to ensure high quality animal phenotyping relevant to issues in nutritional metabolism and obesity in people. There are several areas of highly utilized services supported by the Core: 1) Consultation and training in the use of animal models and technical procedures; 2) Biochemical analyses of lipids and glucose in serum and tissues; 3) Body composition analyses; and 4) Metabolic assessment of energy metabolism and balance. We are now offering new services based on feedback from NORC investigators and the availabiltiy of new and advanced instrumentation at Washington University School of Medicine to quantify metabolism in vivo. These new services include: 1) Treadmill exercise services, 2) Substrate uptake and metabolism, and 3) Exosome biodistribution. Over this past funding period, the Core has expanded its commitment to training related to animal care and analytic techniques with a goal of ensuring rigor and reproducibility of the science supported by the NORC, added new instrumention in addition to upgrading existing equipment, and modified operations to provide expanded access to Core resources. These procedural changes, in concert with our long term (since 2003) cooperative agreement with the Diabetes Models Phenotyping Core of the Diabetes Research Center (DRC) at Washington University, have led to cost savings, shared institutional investments, and more facile collaborations that have enhanced the scientific productivity of NORC investigators.