Research Cores

Cell Biology and Cell Imaging Core
The Cell Biology and Cell Imaging Core is a new Core that has evolved from aspects of two previous cores, the Cell Biology Core which focused on live cell imaging, and the Histochemistry/Morphology Core which focused on cell structure and the localization of biological molecules in fixed cells. The Cell Imaging Core is designed to provide information on the localization of molecules in live and fixed cells and their changes over time and in response to physiological and pathophysiological perturbation. It is centered around microscopic imaging and quantitative analysis of digital information obtained primarily by last scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and multiwavelength fluorescence imaging although traditional electron microscopy of fixed and embedded specimens is also available for fine structure analysis.

In Vivo Studies Core
The objective of the In Vivo Studies Core is to provide a venue for focusing the human resources, facilities, new technology and equipment necessary for in vivo study of humans and animals.  The Core serves to fully integrate investigations at the molecular, cellular and organ system level that are currently performed within the other Cores of the Center.  The Core is organized to bring together expertise and in vivo techniques from different disciplines to investigate the role of peptide hormones in a wide variety of gastrointestinal functions.

Molecular Biology Core
The purpose of the Molecular Biology Core is to facilitate the application of the tools of molecular genetics to the study of gastrointestinal peptides and their physiological functions.  In all aspects, the Molecular Biology Core functions to provide essential services and serves as an educational resource to all Center Investigators.  Although basic molecular techniques are widely available to Center investigators through commercial sources, there remain specific services that are best provided by pooled resources and by highly trained personnel such as those that can be provided by a Center.  There are four Core programs provided:  the Transgenic Animal Program, the Viral Vector Program, the Gene Expression Program, and the newly added Microarray Gene Chip Program.

Peptides and Proteomics Core
The goal of the Peptides & Proteomics Core program is to provide resources for the analysis of peptides and proteins involved in gastrointestinal physiology.   Specifically, the Core provides researchers within the Michigan Gut Peptide Center (UM-MGPRC) access to state-of-the-art technologies for protein structure analysis that allow them to effectively attain their research goals. These techniques require expensive, sophisticated instrumentation and/or significant expertise, and are typically unavailable in the laboratories of individual investigators. The UM-MGPRC gains a number of significant benefits by supporting this shared facility: (i) the cost of expensive, state-of-the-art instruments can be borne by the institution or shared-instrument grant sources, (ii) stable, highly-trained, and experienced personnel to perform the analyses, providing consistent performance standards and a high-level of quality control over time, and (iii) an improved level of cost-effectiveness is achieved by the larger scale of operation, and (iv) access to skilled investigators for consultation on experimental design and interpretation of results.  This Core has expanded and adapted to accommodate new needs and advances in technology.