Animal Phenotyping
The Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center's Animal Phenotyping Core provides state-of-the-art metabolic analysis of rodent models following their genetic, dietary, molecular or pharmacological manipulation.
Purposes
- Provide education, consultation and advice to MDRTC investigators regarding the analysis of animal models of metabolic diseases in order to provide a detailed understanding of the underpinnings of their phenotypes.
- Provide specialized analytical services to MDRTC investigators to understand the physiology of rodent models of metabolic disease. These services include:
- Measurement of body composition
- Measurement of metabolic rate, respiratory quotient, food consumption and activity utilizing the Comprehensive Laboratory Animal Monitoring System
- Analysis of insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, along with more specialized measures of insulin action and metabolite flux and storage utilizing clamping techniques.
- Provide specialized surgical techniques including placement of cannulae and tissue harvest
- Isolation and study of pancreatic islets
- Isolation and study of mitochondria from metabolic tissues
- Additional phenotyping for relevant cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and behavioral phenotypes that may be valuable in certain experimental animals
- Measurement of body composition
The APC enhances and stimulates advances in the understanding of diabetes and related metabolic diseases by promoting collaboration, disseminating information, and providing consultation and services essential to MDRTC investigators and trainees in areas relevant to their animal models of metabolic disease but which are beyond their individual capabilities.
Equipment
The facility is equipped with specialized equipment, such as CLAMS, glucose clamping apparatus, and the equipment reagents and personnel required to provide the analyses (see above) to investigators.
Animals
Animals to be phenotyped are transferred to the care of the APC under U-M University Committee on Use and Care of Animals protocols. Core personnel conduct all analyses in the APD Core.
Visit the Animal Metabolic Phenotyping Core Web site with available services and recharge rates.
Key Personnel
Martin G. Myers, Jr., M.D., PhD., Director
mgmyers@umich.edu 734-647-9515Nathan Qi, Ph.D., Associate Director
nathanqi@med.umich.edu 734-764-7043
