NYR-Diabetes Research Center (NYR-DRC)

Albert Einstein College Of Medicine, Bronx NY

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Animal Physiology Core (APC) employs sophisticated research methodologies to assist New York Regional Diabetes Research Center (NYR-DRC) investigators in the in vivo assessment of glucose and fatty acid metabolism, insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis in mice and rats. A substantial number of NYR- DRC members continue to depend upon APC services and scientific input. Since the last grant submission, the Core has provided 8,380 services to 47 NYR-DRC investigators (27 from Einstein, 9 from Mount Sinai and 11 from affiliated institutions) as well as 6 additional outside non-NYR-DRC investigators. Results from these Core services have contributed to 40 successful NIH diabetes-related grant applications and 26 from Einstein, 7 from Mount Sinai, (whose direct costs total ~ $10 M/annum) and 7 from non-NYR-DRC sites; 28 are supported by NIDDK), and 132 peer-reviewed publications from NYR-DRC faculty laboratories. Through collaborative efforts with the other NYR-DRC Cores, the APC enables investigators to thoroughly characterize the effects of defined pharmacologic, dietary, environmental and genetic alterations on glucose and lipid homeostasis, insulin action,and metabolism. To accomplish these goals, the Animal Physiology Core will: 1. Offer advice and instruction to students, postdoctoral fellows, investigators and technical staff in the design, performance, and analysis of physiologic approaches and techniques necessary to evaluate the control of glucose and lipid homeostasis and insulin action in rodents; 2. Make available to investigators specialized measurements of whole body and tissue-specific glucose metabolism and insulin action in rodent models including insulin, pancreatic and hyperglycemic clamps and spontaneous glucose monitoring; 3. Provide specialized gastrointestinal, neurosurgical and histological models for the study of insulin sensitivity, energy balance, and glucose and fatty acid metabolism; 4. Provide analysis of whole body carbohydrate/fatty acid oxidation, energy expenditure, thermogenesis, food intake, and locomotor activity using specialized metabolic (indirect calorimetry) rodent cages; 5. Provide assessment of the effects of diet, exercise, light/dark cycle and environmental temperature on glucose homeostasis, metabolism, and shivering via electromyography; 6. Make available to investigators specialized measurements of rodent adipose tissue distribution using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and microCT. 7; Facilitate and integrate the functional assessments provided by the APC with assays provided by other NYR-DRC Biomedical Cores. All these services are available to investigators new to diabetes research, as well as to investigators working on diabetes- related projects that can be enriched and extended by the use of the expertise and facilities of this Core.