Translation Core

Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis IN

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract (Translation Core) The Translation Core supports the overall mission of the Indiana Diabetes Research Center (IDRC) to promote cutting-edge research in diabetes and related metabolic disorders; foster collaboration; and support training by providing expertise in analyte measurement and human studies design, and access to state-of-the-art equipment and banked human blood and tissue. These services facilitate research that aligns with the major Scientific Goals of the NIDDK Strategic Plan for Research, providing support to projects that: 1) advance understanding of contributors to health and disease, 2) develop and test prevention and treatment approaches in preclinical models and clinical trials, and 3) disseminate and implement evidence-based strategies to improve health. In addition, the Core provides specialized expertise in community engaged research, promoting stakeholder engagement in IDRC research activities. The Translation Core is led by two Co- Directors, Dr. Tamara Hannon and Dr. Robert Considine, and is essential for the work of preclinical, clinical, translational, and health outcomes investigators within the IDRC. The Core serves also as an important conduit facilitating entry into the field of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic research for investigators who have not traditionally worked with human subjects or human specimens, advancing the NIDDK’s emphasis on workforce development and training, rigor and reproducibility, and good stewardship of resources. The Translation Core will achieve the following aims: (1) To provide central laboratory functions that support high-quality, high-throughput, low-cost measurements of circulating hormones, cytokines, and blood chemistries in preclinical and clinical samples. (2) To assist in the design, performance, and interpretation of clinical research and clinical trials, applying appropriate scientific rigor and methodologies. (3) To enable translation of molecular and physiologic discoveries made in preclinical model systems through access to banked human blood and tissues. (4) To provide training in all aspects of Core function to prepare the next generation of investigators, with an emphasis on translational and clinical trial work.